Utah Children’s Book Author Accused Of Poisoning Husband
A Utah children’s book author and mom, who wrote about losing a loved one, is now accused of murdering the man she dedicated the book to, according to NBC News.
Officials took 33-year-old Kouri Richins into custody on charges of ” aggravated murder, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute,” NBC News states.
On March 4, 2022 Kouri’s husband, 39-year-old Eric Richins, died in the family’s home. According to multiple media reports from that time, Eric died from an overdose of “illicit fentanyl,” ABC 4 states. Kouri and the couple’s three boys were home during this situation.
However, this overdose soon became accusations of Kouri poisoning her then-deceased husband after officials obtained a search warrant following Eric’s autopsy, ABC 4 states. The search of the Richins’ home lead investigators to seize computers and Kouri’s phone.
Essentially, investigators found that Kouri was purchasing a lot of fentanyl pills — roughly $1,800 worth of fentanyl pills to say the least. Kouri also texted her “dealer/acquaintance” that she wanted “the Michael Jackson stuff,” court documents and multiple media outlets state.
A year after her husband’s death, Kouri published a children’s book — about two months ago– called “Are You With Me?” According to Kouri’s Amazon book page (which is now defunct), the book’s bio is, “A heartwarming and reassuring book that gently guides children through the difficult experience of losing a loved one.”
The book was published about two months ago.
The New York Times‘ article about this incident said that Eric’s toxicology report determined the fentanyl in his system was not medical grade, and he had five times the lethal dosage in his system.
Kouri even appeared on a local lifestyle program for ABC 4 called “Good Things Utah.” On the show, she talked about the grief of losing her husband, and how she navigates the idea of loss and grief with her children.
The next detention hearing for Kouri is set for May 19.
