Utah Mother Sentenced to Life Without Parole for Husband's Fentanyl Poisoning

Kouri Richins, a Utah mother and children's book author, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2022 murder of her husband, Eric Richins. The sentencing took place on May 13, 2026, which would have been Eric's 44th birthday.

In March 2026, a jury convicted Richins of aggravated murder for administering a lethal dose of fentanyl to her husband at their home near Park City. She was also found guilty of attempted aggravated murder for a prior poisoning attempt, as well as insurance fraud and forgery related to her husband's life insurance policies.

Prosecutors revealed that Richins was in significant debt and had secretly taken out multiple life insurance policies on her husband, expecting to inherit over $4 million.

During the sentencing hearing, Richins' three sons, who were 9, 7, and 5 at the time of their father's death, expressed fear of their mother and stated they would feel unsafe if she were released from prison.

Judge Richard Mrazik, in delivering the sentence, stated that Richins is "simply too dangerous to ever be free."

Richins maintains her innocence and plans to appeal the conviction and sentence. She also faces over two dozen additional financial crime charges in a separate case.