Jury selection is underway in Utah for the high-profile murder trial of Kouri Richins, a mother of three accused of killing her husband and later publishing a children’s book about coping with grief.
Richins, 35, has been charged in connection with the March 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, at the couple’s home near Park City. Prosecutors allege she fatally poisoned him with fentanyl, slipping what they describe as five times the lethal dose of the powerful synthetic opioid into a Moscow mule cocktail he consumed. Authorities also claim she attempted to poison him weeks earlier on Valentine’s Day by lacing a sandwich with fentanyl, an incident that allegedly left him with hives and caused him to lose consciousness.
Richins has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. She faces nearly three dozen felony charges, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, mortgage fraud and insurance fraud. If convicted of aggravated murder, she could face 25 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors contend that financial strain and a desire to pursue a new relationship motivated the killing. According to court filings, Richins had taken out multiple life insurance policies on her husband without his knowledge, totaling close to $2 million in benefits. At the same time, she was reportedly struggling financially, with significant debts, a negative bank balance and lawsuits from creditors.
In the months following her husband’s death, Richins self-published a children’s book titled “Are You with Me?” The story centers on a father who dies and watches over his son as an angel. She promoted the book in local media appearances, presenting herself as a grieving widow helping children navigate loss. Prosecutors are expected to point to the book as part of what they describe as an effort to portray the death as natural while masking a deliberate act.
A key witness for the state is Carmen Lauber, a housekeeper who told investigators she sold Richins fentanyl pills on multiple occasions. Detectives say Lauber reported providing up to 90 pills that she had obtained from a dealer. Lauber has not been charged in the case and has reportedly received immunity.
Defense attorneys are expected to challenge her credibility. They argue that no fentanyl was found in Lauber’s possession and that statements from the alleged dealer have been inconsistent. In a sworn affidavit, the dealer later claimed he had sold Lauber OxyContin rather than fentanyl. The defense maintains that the prosecution’s narrative has overshadowed critical facts and insists the jury will hear evidence that contradicts the state’s theory.
Other potential witnesses include friends and family members. One friend reportedly told investigators that Eric Richins called him on Valentine’s Day expressing fear, saying he believed his wife had tried to poison him. Prosecutors view that conversation as a key piece of their case.
Richins’ legal team has emphasized that she has waited nearly three years to have her case heard in court and expressed confidence that jurors will find reasonable doubt.
The trial, scheduled to continue through late March, is expected to draw significant public attention as jurors weigh complex evidence involving alleged poisoning, financial pressures and the unusual detail of a children’s book written in the aftermath of a suspicious death.
