Utah Mom Kouri Richins Faces New Charges in Addition to Killing Husband
Utah mom and author, Kouri Richins is facing charges for allegedly poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with a sandwich before his death from a fentanyl overdose.
Eric, 39, expressed suspicions about his wife's actions a month before his demise in March 2022, confiding in a friend that he believed she tried to fentanyl poison him with a sandwich left in his truck on Valentine's Day, according to New York Post.
Summit County prosecutors have charged Utah mom Kouri Richins, 33, with attempted murder and fraud charges.
Eric experienced severe symptoms after consuming the sandwich, including hives and loss of consciousness.
Despite contacting Kouri, who advised rest instead of medical help, Eric struggled to counteract the effects.
He confided in friends about the incident, expressing fear for his life and suspicions about Kouri's involvement.
The court documents indicate Eric's desperate attempts to mitigate the poisoning's effects despite having no known food allergies.
The case portrays Eric's fear and suspicion toward his wife before his tragic death.
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Fentanyl Poisoning Husband and Financial Fraud Charges
Kouri Richins, a mother of three, appeared on "Good Things Utah" to promote a book discussing her husband's unexpected death.
She denied claims of his allergic reaction in a text to a friend. Her lawyer asserts her innocence, unaffected by new charges, ABC News reports.
Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose in March 2022, with levels far above lethal.
Kouri mentioned they drank Moscow Mules before his death.
Prosecutors accuse her of purchasing fentanyl before both incidents.
She faces charges including distributing controlled substances, forgery, insurance, and mortgage fraud.
Allegations include forging her husband's signature on an insurance application and falsifying bank statements.
At the time of Eric's death, Kouri faced financial distress, owing over $1.8 million in loans.
She was the beneficiary of multiple insurance policies totaling $1.35 million but mistakenly believed in an additional policy worth $500,000.
Allegations of Financial Misconduct and Murder Conspiracy in Husband
Following her husband's death, Utah mom Kouri Richins promptly handled property matters and celebrated with friends, Daily Mail noted.
Shortly thereafter, she self-published a children's book about a father's watchful presence after death.
Court records indicate disputes between the couple regarding Kouri's real estate plans before Eric's demise in March.
Prosecutors uncovered financial misconduct by Kouri, including obtaining a $250,000 home equity line, withdrawing $100,000 from Eric's accounts, and spending excessively on credit cards.
Allegations extend to misappropriating $134,000 from Eric's business for personal use.
Utah mom Kouri Richins procured life insurance policies exceeding $1.9 million amid substantial debts and legal battles, prompting mortgage and insurance fraud charges post-Eric's death.
On the night Eric passed away, Kouri and her mother, Lisa Darden, celebrated a property deal.
Investigators are suspicious of Darden's involvement due to past incidents leading to a search warrant in May 2023, implicating her potential role in Eric's demise.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Ross Key
WATCH: Utah Mom Kouri Richins Tried to Kill Her Husband More Than Once: Prosecutors - From Law&Crime Trials
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