Children's Book Author Kouri Richins Receives Life Sentence for Husband's Death

Utah resident Kouri Richins has been handed a life sentence without parole following her conviction in the death of her husband.

Richins faced sentencing ranging from 25 years to life in prison, or life without the possibility of parole. She received the latter option, meaning she will not be eligible for release.

The author, who penned and self-published a children's book exploring grief following her husband's passing in 2022, was found guilty of aggravated murder. According to prosecutors, she administered a lethal quantity of fentanyl—obtained through illegal channels—in her husband's drink. Eric Richins was discovered dead in bed in March 2022, with toxicology results confirming a lethal level of fentanyl in his bloodstream.

Beyond the murder conviction, Richins was also found guilty of attempted aggravated murder. Prosecutors presented evidence that she had poisoned a sandwich with fentanyl and given it to her husband two weeks prior on Valentine's Day in an unsuccessful attempt to kill him.

A third conviction involved insurance fraud. Investigators determined that Richins had forged her husband's signature to obtain a $100,000 life insurance policy, which she subsequently claimed after his death.

During her sentencing hearing, the mother of three delivered a 40-minute statement to the court without taking the stand to testify. She used the opportunity to send a message to her children, whom she said she had been unable to contact for the past two years.

"I will not be blamed for something I did not do," Richins declared. "I need you boys to know the truth, and because of that, I will never quit the truth and coming home to you."

Richins maintains her innocence and has announced her intention to appeal the conviction.