‘Twisted’ Utah Mom of Three Who Wrote a Children’s Book About Grief Convicted of Killing Husband in Chilling Plot

A mother of three in Utah published a book about healing and grief after the death of her husband. She has now been found guilty of murdering him.

On March 16, a jury found Kouri Richins guilty of killing her husband, Erich Richins, in 2022 by poisoning his drink with a high dose of fentanyl. Prosecutors called more than 40 witnesses, including the individual who allegedly sold the drug, according to the BBC.

Richins, 35, looked down and remained still as the judge announced the guilty verdict.

The jury deliberated for about three hours before reaching a verdict. Her defense team did not call any witnesses, and Richins did not take the stand but pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Richins, who authorities said wanted to take control of the couple’s finances, was also convicted of insurance fraud after she illegally claimed insurance benefits following her husband’s death. Prosecutors claimed she falsely believed she would also inherit his $4 million estate.

In an earlier incident, she reportedly poisoned her husband’s sandwich, nearly killing him, before finding out the fatal dosage. He reportedly broke out in hives and struggled to breath. She was found guilty of attempted murder in this case.

Richins contacted a person for “some of the Michael Jackson stuff”, after she planned to kill him. Experts revealed said the victim had five times the lethal dosage of the drug in his system.

Prosecutors said she was also having an extramarital affair with another man and was planning a future with him. “She wanted to leave Eric Richins but did not want to leave his money,” Summit County prosecutor Brad Bloodworth said.

Fox News reported that Richins faces the possibility of a life sentence after the jury found her guilty on all counts. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 13 at 9:30 a.m. MST.

According to the BBC, she told investigators she had served her husband a vodka cocktail in bed and then went to sleep with one of her young children who was having a night terror.

She later returned to her husband in their bedroom, where she said she discovered him “cold to the touch”.

On 4 March 2022, she called police in the middle of the night to say she had found her husband unresponsive.

The book that Richins authored, Are You With Me?, is a story of hope, healing, and the unbreakable bond between parent and child. It follows the story of a child who has lost their father, but who is reminded that his presence still exists all around them, just like an angel watching over them.

On Google Books, it is recommended as “a must-read for any child who has experienced the pain of loss”, and for parents who want to provide their children with the emotional support they need to heal and grow.