A Utah jury has found children’s grief author Kouri Richins guilty of fatally poisoning her husband in a case prosecutors said was driven by financial desperation and a plan to access his $4 million estate, as reported by The New York Post.
The verdict was delivered Monday in Park City after jurors deliberated for roughly three hours, concluding a three-week trial.
Richins, 35, was convicted on multiple charges, including aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, insurance fraud, and forgery.
Utah Mom Who Wrote Children’s Book on Grief **CONVICTED** of Murdering Her Husband in Cold-Blooded $4M Inheritance Plot.
Kouri Richins, 35, a real estate agent and self-published author of a book helping kids cope with losing a parent, was just found **GUILTY** of… pic.twitter.com/j7KqmtfIff
— JAS (@JasADRxquisites) March 17, 2026
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Prosecutors argued that Richins killed her husband, Eric Richins, on March 4, 2022, by slipping a fatal dose of fentanyl into his Moscow Mule cocktail.
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They also presented evidence that she attempted to poison him weeks earlier on Valentine’s Day with a fentanyl-laced sandwich that caused him to break out in hives and lose consciousness.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Brad Bloodworth told jurors that Richins had accumulated $4.5 million in debt through her home-flipping business and devised a plan to use her husband’s estate to resolve her financial problems and begin a new life.
Richins lived with her husband and their children in Kamas, a suburb near Park City. According to prosecutors, her financial situation played a central role in the case.
Bloodworth described her as an “incompetent” businesswoman who “carefully curated the facade of a privileged, affluent, successful business owner.”
He told the jury that the “way forward” for Richins was that “Eric had to die.”
Prosecutors also pointed to testimony from Robert Josh Grossman, a 43-year-old Iraq war veteran and handyman, who was identified during the trial as Richins’ secret lover.
Grossman testified that shortly after Eric Richins’ death, Kouri Richins asked him whether he had ever killed anyone.
The case drew additional attention due to Richins’ actions after her husband’s death. Approximately one year later, she wrote and promoted a children’s book titled “Are You With Me?” which focused on helping children cope with grief.
“She wanted to leave Eric Richins but did not want to leave his money,” Bloodworth said during closing arguments. “Their prenup meant if she left him, she would also leave most of his money.”
Courtroom observers noted Richins’ demeanor during the proceedings. As prosecutors delivered their closing arguments, she was seen reacting by furrowing her eyebrows, smiling, and speaking with members of her defense team.
Defense attorney Kathy Nester sought a mistrial during closing arguments, arguing that Bloodworth had made improper statements. Judge Richard Mrazik denied the request.
Richins had pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following the guilty verdict, she faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison. Her sentencing is scheduled for May 13.
NEW: Utah woman who wrote a book about grief after her husband died has been found guilty of murdering him.
According to prosecutors, Kouri Richins put 5x the lethal dose of the synthetic opioid into a cocktail that her husband Eric Richins drank.
Prosecutors also say Richins… pic.twitter.com/zTZaBCkVwP
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 17, 2026
The case concludes a high-profile trial that combined allegations of financial motive, a domestic relationship, and the use of fentanyl in a fatal poisoning.
Prosecutors said the evidence presented over the three-week trial established a pattern leading up to Eric Richins’ death.
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