"I am Afraid" —Kouri Richins’ Sons Say They Fear Her Ahead of Her Sentencing in Husband’s Murder Case

35-year-old Kouri Richins, a Utah woman, was found guilty of killing her husband by poisoning his drink with a fatal dose of fentanyl in 2022. Prosecutors called more than 40 witnesses before announcing the guilty verdict against her in March.

Now, the author’s three young sons have testified that they are terrified of her and want her to spend the rest of her life in prison. Prosecutors argued that she should not be eligible for parole for killing her husband, Eric Richins.

“I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family,” her eldest son, now 13, said, according to prosecutors. “I think she would come and take us and not do good things to us, like hurt us,” according to a report in the New York Post.

Kouri faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole at her May 13 sentencing hearing — the same day that would have been Eric’s 44th birthday.

Alternatively, the judge could sentence her to 25 years to life, which would then make her eligible for parole.

On May 11, prosecutor Brad Bloodworth urged the judge to impose the harshest sentence possible, arguing that Kouri is “irredeemable” and that it would be best for her three young sons if she remained behind bars.

Kouri’s sons were 5, 7, and 9 at the time of the killing. Before authorities arrested her, she published a children’s grief book titled Are You With Me? The book describes itself as a story about hope, healing, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child.

On Google Books, it is recommended as “a must-read for any child who has experienced the pain of loss” and for parents seeking to help children heal emotionally after a tragedy.

While speaking to prosecutors, the oldest son referred to his mother as Kouri and said he misses his father deeply. “I miss my dad, but I do not miss how my life used to be, I don’t miss Kouri, I will tell you that,” he said.

Eric’s family has since taken responsibility for raising the three boys, who have reportedly been attending therapy since the incident.

During the investigation, the Division of Child and Family Services also found that Kouri has been, allegedly, abusing her oldest son, both physically and emotionally.

Prosecutors further alleged that Kouri used her middle son as a false alibi on the night of Eric’s murder, telling investigators she was in his room helping him fall asleep. The move, prosecutors argued, “condemned her child to be a material witness.”

The middle son, now 12, said he would continue missing his father during important milestones throughout his life. “He can’t be my coach anymore and can’t be at any of my games. He won’t be at my birthdays. He can’t teach me how to drive,” the middle child said.

“I will not feel safe is [she is] out … with her in jail, I will be able to continue to feel safe and live a happy and successful life without fear of [her] hurting me or anyone I love,” he added, about his mother.

The youngest son said “[w]hen someone talks about Kouri it makes me feel hateful and ashamed. She took away my dad.”

“If she got out I would be so scared. I’m worried she would take me away… Once she is gone I will feel happy and I will feel safer and relaxed and trust people more,” he added.

Kouri was also convicted of insurance fraud after prosecutors said she illegally claimed insurance benefits following her husband’s death.

Prosecutors alleged that she falsely believed she would inherit Eric’s $4 million estate. They also previously claimed that Kouri was involved in an extramarital affair and was planning a future with another man.