Utah Jury Convicts Kouri Richins of Husband's Fentanyl Poisoning

A Utah jury has convicted Kouri Richins of aggravated murder in the 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, after prosecutors said she poisoned him with a fentanyl-laced drink, according to CBS News and CNN.

The verdict was delivered March 16, 2026, following a trial in which prosecutors alleged Richins administered a fatal dose of fentanyl in a Moscow Mule cocktail at the couple’s home. The jury also found her guilty of attempted aggravated murder related to an earlier alleged poisoning attempt weeks before his death.

Charges and Verdict

According to CNN, jurors convicted Richins, 35, of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, forgery, and two counts of insurance fraud. Prosecutors said the amount of fentanyl involved was significantly higher than a lethal dose.

Court proceedings focused on evidence presented by the state, including financial records, digital communications, and forensic findings tied to Eric Richins’ death in March 2022.

Richins has not yet been sentenced. Authorities said she faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Prior Allegations Presented at Trial

Prosecutors told the court that the fatal incident followed an earlier alleged attempt to poison Eric Richins on Valentine’s Day, also involving fentanyl, according to CBS News.

That earlier allegation became part of the broader case presented to jurors, who ultimately convicted her on the related attempted aggravated murder charge.

Investigators said the case developed over time as evidence was reviewed following Eric Richins’ death, which was initially treated as a sudden and unexpected loss.

Financial and Personal Context

During the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence they said pointed to financial and personal factors surrounding the case. According to reporting cited in court coverage, this included life insurance policies taken out on Eric Richins and financial pressures tied to real estate investments.

Authorities also referenced personal relationships that were examined during the investigation. Officials did not publicly assign a single motive, and the case was argued based on the totality of evidence presented in court.

Public Attention Following the Death

The case drew national attention in part because Kouri Richins later authored a children’s book about grief following her husband’s death.

That detail was referenced during coverage of the case but was not itself a charge. Prosecutors focused on evidence tied directly to the poisoning allegations and timeline of events.

Legal Status and Next Steps

Richins was arrested in 2023 following an extended investigation.

With the conviction now returned, the case moves to the sentencing phase. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 13, according to court officials.

Authorities have not indicated whether additional proceedings are expected beyond sentencing.

The case remains one of the more closely followed criminal trials in Utah in recent years, with further developments expected as the sentencing phase approaches.

References: Utah mom Kouri Richins convicted in husband poisoning case | Kouri Richins trial: Utah woman convicted of killing husband | Closing arguments in Kouri Richins murder trial