The Utah mom accused of killing her husband with a fentanyl-laced Moscow Mule — then writing a children’s book on how to grieve — headed to trial with the start of jury selection Tuesday.
Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old home-flipper, killed hubby Eric Richins, 39, with poisoned booze that contained five times the lethal amount of the synthetic opioid — after previously trying to murder him with fentanyl stuffed in a sandwich weeks earlier, authorities said.
Prosecutors allege Kouri’s real-estate business was under water and that the mother of three young boys was motivated to kill her husband to cash in on his life-insurance policy and $3.6 million estate.
They also claim the Kamas woman was having an affair with her handyman.
After allegedly killing Eric in their home March 3, 2022, the mom went on to self-publish an illustrated book for kids titled, “Are You With Me?” a year later and promote it on a local television station.
She was arrested in May 2023, with prosecutors last year hitting her with 26 more charges in a separate case alleging financial crimes tied to the murder.
Kouri allegedly concocted the deadly drink for Eric — her husband of nine years — under the guise they were celebrating the sale of a home.
The wife claimed to authorities that after bringing her husband the drink, she fell asleep in her son’s bed because he was having a nightmare. She said that when she returned to the couple’s bedroom, she found Eric cold.
Kouri went on a local TV segment “Good Things Utah” after writing a book — and a month before her arrest — saying Eric’s death “completely took us all by shock.
“We have three little boys, 10, 9 and 6, and my kids and I kind of wrote this book on the different emotions and grieving processes that we’ve experienced in the last year,” she said at the time.
The storybook said it was, “Dedicated to my amazing husband and a wonderful father.”
The book, which was on sale for $14.99, was taken off of Amazon after her arrest. It was described as “a must-read for any child who has experienced the pain of loss, and for parents who want to provide their children with the emotional support they need to heal and grow.”
Prosecutors have alleged Richins was having an affair with her handyman Robert Grossman — texting him the day after she first tried to kill Eric, saying: “If [Eric] could just go away … life would be perfect.”
Kouri then texted her paramour the week of Eric’s murder saying, “Life is going to be different, I promise. Hang in there until Friday,” prosecutors claim.
She also allegedly took out multiple life-insurance policies in Eric’s name without his knowledge that totaled $2 million.
In addition, she allegedly tried to make herself the beneficiary of his life-insurance policy, which his sister was designated to collect on. But when the husband got wise to her scheme, he cut her out of his will and changed the policies, authorities said.
Kouri has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and drug possession crime. She’s been behind bars since her arrest.
Jury selection is expected to take up to two weeks with opening statements currently set for Feb. 23. The trial could last up to five weeks.
