Kouri Richins is an American woman from Utah who became widely known after being accused and later convicted of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins. Her case gained national attention because she published a children’s book about grief shortly after her husband’s death. Many people were shocked by the story because the book was meant to help children deal with losing a parent.
In 2026, Kouri was found guilty of murdering her husband and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Age, Early Life and Education
Kouri Richins was born in the United States and lived most of her life in Utah. Details about her exact birth date, childhood, and education have mostly remained private. Before the criminal case became public, she was known as a businesswoman and a mother of three children.
She worked in real estate and was involved in property businesses. Friends and neighbors once described her as active and family-oriented. However, after investigations into her husband’s death began, public opinion about her changed greatly.
Personal Life
Kouri married Eric Richins, a successful businessman. The couple had three sons together and were married for about nine years before Eric’s death in 2022. According to reports, Eric was a loving father who spent a lot of time coaching and supporting his children.
Over time, the marriage reportedly developed problems. Investigators later revealed that the couple had financial disagreements and trust issues. Eric had secretly placed his money and estate into a trust managed by his sister because he wanted to protect his children financially. Reports also showed that several life insurance policies had been taken out on him.
After Eric died, Kouri’s children eventually went to live with Eric’s family while she waited for trial.
Publishing
In early 2023, only months after Eric’s death, Kouri published a children’s book called Are You With Me? The book focused on grief and the emotional pain children feel after losing a parent. It told the story of a child who believes their dead father is still watching over them like an angel.
Kouri publicly said she wrote the book to help her own children heal after their father’s death. She even dedicated the book to Eric, calling him “an amazing husband and a wonderful father.”
The book quickly attracted media attention because many people saw it as emotional and heartfelt. However, everything changed when Kouri was arrested for Eric’s murder only two months later.
During the 2026 trial, prosecutors showed text messages claiming the book had actually been written by a ghostwriter and not directly by Kouri herself. The case became even more controversial because the book’s message about grief now seemed disturbing to many readers after the murder accusations became public.
After her conviction, the book was removed from many online stores and became strongly connected to the criminal case rather than its original purpose.
Death of Husband
Eric Richins died in March 2022 at the family home in Utah. Investigators later said he had been poisoned with a deadly amount of fentanyl.
Authorities claimed Kouri gave Eric a drink containing the drug before he died. Prosecutors argued that financial problems, insurance money, and control over Eric’s estate may have been motives for the crime.
The case became one of the most talked about true crime stories in America because of the combination of family tragedy, money, and the children’s grief book.
During the trial, prosecutors presented digital evidence, messages, and financial records to support their claims. In March 2026, the jury found Kouri guilty of murdering her husband.
Sentencing
In May 2026, Kouri Richins was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The judge said the harsh sentence was necessary partly to protect the couple’s three sons.
One of the most emotional moments during sentencing came when the children shared statements explaining that they were afraid of their mother being released from prison. They told the court they no longer felt safe around her and wanted the strongest punishment possible.
Kouri’s eldest son, C.R., said in a sentencing memo filed by prosecutors and obtained by PEOPLE:
“I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family. I think she would come and take us and not do good things to us, like hurt us,”
The judge said he hoped the family would someday find peace after years of pain and public attention. Reports said Kouri showed little emotion during most of the sentencing hearing except when reading a letter addressed to her children.
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