Shock Details Released About Utah Mom Who Allegedly Killed Husband

(Scypre.com) – The investigation into Kouri Richins, a widow from Utah, has revealed new details about her alleged search history and defense. Prosecutors claim that Richins killed her husband, Eric Richins, with a fatal dose of fentanyl. She now faces charges of criminal homicide, aggravated murder, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. The prosecution has presented internet searches found on her phone, which they describe as incriminating. These searches include topics related to fentanyl, life insurance payments, police investigations, and data collection from electronic devices.

Eric Richins was discovered dead in March 2022, and Kouri told investigators that she had brought him a cocktail before finding him cold to the touch later that night. A year later, she published a children’s book titled “Are You With Me?” on navigating grief. Prosecutors also allege that she withdrew money from their bank accounts without her husband’s knowledge and attempted to change the life insurance policy to name herself as the sole beneficiary. They further point to incidents where she may have tried to poison him.

Richins’ defense attorneys argue that there is no substantial evidence supporting the charges against her and that she should be released while awaiting trial. They claim that she had the right to withdraw money from their joint accounts and challenge the identification of the computer used for the life insurance policy change. The defense denies any attempts to poison Eric and contests the prosecution’s assertion that Kouri provided the lethal dose of fentanyl.

Investigators have outlined a series of illicit fentanyl purchases leading up to Eric Richins’ death. According to the autopsy and toxicology report, Eric had a fentanyl dosage approximately five times the lethal limit in his system. The defense points out that law enforcement did not find any fentanyl or illicit drugs in the family home. They also question the validity of witness testimony and suggest that Eric’s financial documents may have been forged.

The defense includes the professional opinion of a forensic document examiner, who suggests that certain signatures on documents related to power of attorney and life insurance appear to be forged. Eric’s estate planning attorney states that he made unconventional choices in his estate plan, such as excluding Kouri as his health care agent and appointing his father and sister as trustees. The intention was to protect their three sons and ensure that Kouri would not have control over the finances after his death.

In an email to the police, Kouri clarified some details and mentioned her husband’s previous affair, which occurred around the same time they were considering divorce. She stated that they resolved their issues like most couples do.