Children’s book author Kouri Richins sentenced to life without parole in husband’s fentanyl death

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:01][music] >> A Utah mother who wrote a children's book about grief after her husband's death will now spend the rest of her life in prison for his murder. A judge sentenced 35-year-old Kouri Richins to life without parole Wednesday after prosecutors said she poisoned her husband Eric with a fatal dose of fentanyl inside their Park City area home back in 2022. The case drew national attention after Richins later published a children's book about a young boy coping with the loss of his father. Judge Richard Brosic said Richins should never be released from prison.

[00:00:37]And first thing you can think of those things is simply too dangerous to ever be free.

[00:00:46]Accordingly, Ms. Richins, based on your conviction on count one, first-degree felony aggravated murder, the court hereby sentences you to life without parole.

[00:00:58]But some of the most emotional moments came from the couple's three young sons who told the court they would not feel safe if their mother were ever released.

[00:01:06]One son said, "Quote, she took away my dad." Another told the judge he feared she would, "Quote, come after him and his brothers if she got out of prison."

[00:01:16]Richins also spoke directly to her children in court.

[00:01:20]My sweet baby boys, I know that today you don't want to speak to me, have a relationship with me. You may think you hate me, and that's okay.

[00:01:31]I will never be angry at you for your feelings.

[00:01:34]When the day comes that you're ready, I will be here for you, waiting for you and loving you.

[00:01:41]Prosecutors said Eric Richins had five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in his system when he died at his home. Jurors also convicted Kouri Richins of attempting to poison him weeks earlier with a fentanyl-laced Valentine's Day sandwich.

[00:01:57]Her attorneys say they plan to appeal.

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