A tragic incident unfolded in 2022 when a Utah woman allegedly poisoned her husband, leading to his death. What makes this case even more disturbing is the fact that she went on to publish a children's book about grief. The woman, Kouri Richins, now faces another charge of attempted murder for reportedly drugging her husband on Valentine's Day, weeks before his untimely demise.
The series of events leading to Eric Richins' death paint a troubling picture of a relationship marred by deceit and danger. Prosecutors claim that Kouri Richins engaged in suspicious behavior, including making secret financial arrangements and acquiring illegal substances that were later found in her husband's system.
Authorities had previously suggested that Kouri Richins may have attempted to poison her husband prior to his death, but it wasn't until recently that new charges were officially filed against her. She is currently in custody without bail as the legal proceedings continue.
The chilling case of a once-beloved author accused of profiting off her own violent crime has captivated true-crime enthusiasts in the year since she was arrested for her husband's murder. She had self-published "Are You With Me?" — an illustrated storybook about a father with angel wings watching over his young son after dying.
Once lauded as a heartwarming must-read for any child who's lost a loved one, the book has since become a powerful tool for prosecutors arguing that Kouri Richins carried out a calculated murder plot and attempted to cover it up.
The mother of three repeatedly called her husband's death unexpected while promoting her book and was commended by many for helping her sons and other young children process the death of a parent.
Her attorney, Skye Lazaro, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on the new charges. Lazaro has argued in early hearings that the evidence against her client was dubious and circumstantial.
Details on possible prior murder try
One bite of his favorite sandwich — left with a note in the front seat of his truck on Valentine's Day — made Eric Richins, 39, break out in hives and black out, prosecutors allege in the new documents.
His wife had bought the sandwich from a local diner in the city of Kamas the same week she also purchased several dozen fentanyl pills, according to witness statements and deleted text messages that were recovered by police.
The housekeeper, who is the state's key witness, alleges that she provided Kouri Richins with drugs a few days before Valentine's Day. Subsequently, Richins reportedly informed the housekeeper that the pills she had given were not potent enough and requested stronger fentanyl, as per the latest charging documents.
During witness accounts, two acquaintances of Eric Richins shared details of phone conversations from the day prosecutors claim he was first poisoned by his wife of nine years. Following self-administration of his son's EpiPen and consuming a significant amount of Benadryl, Richins woke up from a deep slumber and confided in a friend, expressing suspicions that his wife had attempted to poison him.
His friends noted a sense of fear in his tone as Richins, who had no known allergies, expressed concerns about his well-being and suggested his wife's involvement. Allergic reactions to opioids, such as fentanyl, can lead to severe symptoms like hives.
Insights into Eric Richins' demise
"One or two pills might be accidental. Twenty — or five times the lethal dose — is not accidental. That is someone who wants Eric dead," remarked Summit County Chief Prosecutor Patricia Cassell.
She alleges that Richins slipped the synthetic opioid into a Moscow mule cocktail she made for her husband amid marital disputes and fights over a multimillion-dollar mansion she purchased as an investment.
Eric Richins' family believes Kouri Richins spiked his drink the night he died, according to "48 Hours."
Possible motive?
Years before her husband's death, Kouri Richins opened numerous life insurance policies on Eric Richins without his knowledge, with benefits totaling nearly $2 million, prosecutors allege.
Kouri Richins was also charged Monday with mortgage fraud and insurance fraud for allegedly forging loan applications and fraudulently claiming insurance benefits after his death.
Prosecutors argue she was in financial distress when her husband died and say she mistakenly believed she would inherit his estate under terms of their prenuptial agreement. Newly released documents indicated she had a negative bank account balance, owed lenders more than $1.8 million and was being sued by a creditor.
Charging documents indicate Eric Richins met with a divorce attorney and an estate planner in October 2020, a month after he discovered that his wife made some major financial decisions without his knowledge. The couple's prenuptial agreement only allowed Kouri Richins to profit off her husband's successful stone masonry business if he died while they were still married.
Utah law prohibits anyone convicted of murder from profiting financially off their crime.
Maternal murder accomplice?
The case took another turn when a newly released court affidavit revealed last week that investigators believe Kouri Richins' mother might also have been involved in his death.
A Summit County Sheriff's investigator wrote in the affidavit it is "possible" that Lisa Darden was "involved in planning and orchestrating" Eric Richins' death.
Investigators discovered Darden had been living with a female romantic partner who died suddenly in 2006. An autopsy determined the woman died of an overdose of oxycodone, the affidavit said. The woman struggled with drug abuse, but at the time of her death she wasn't in recovery, which the investigator said would "likely rule out the possibility of an accidental overdose." Darden had become the recipient of the partner's estate shortly before her death, the affidavit said.
The affidavit also said conversations "have been found on Kouri's phone showing disdain for Eric on Lisa's part."
"Based on Lisa Darden's proximity to her partner's suspicious overdose death, and her relationship with Kouri, it is possible she was involved in planning and orchestrating Eric's death," the affidavit states.
No charges have been filed against Lisa Darden.
