Utah mom who wrote kids book on grief charged in husband’s alleged murder

A Utah mother who wrote a children’s book on how to deal with grief after her husband’s death last year has been accused of poisoning him with a lethal dose of fentanyl after serving him a celebratory Moscow Mule.

Kouri Richins, 33, was arrested Monday on three counts of aggravated murder and possession of a controlled substance intended for distribution. Her attorney declined to comment on Tuesday.

Richmond’s husband, Eric Richmond, died March 4, 2022 at his home in Camas, about 40 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. A description of possible causes.

Agents found Eric Richnes on the floor at the foot of his bed, documents say. Life-saving measures were attempted, but he was pronounced dead.

Suspect asked for ‘Michael Jackson stuff,’ court records show

Before her husband’s death, Richmond asked an acquaintance for something strong — “some of Michael Jackson’s” — according to court documents. He died at his home in Los Angeles.

Richins told investigators that the night before her husband died, the couple were celebrating because she had closed their home for business, the documents say. She made him a Moscow Mule in the kitchen and brought it to his bedroom, where he sat on his bed and drank it, she said.

She told investigators she slept in one of her children’s bedrooms because her child had night terrors, according to the documents. When he realized that, he felt “cold to the touch”.

Richins told lawmakers he left his cell phone in his bedroom and never took it out of his child’s room. According to the probable cause statement, investigators later learned that her phone had been locked and unlocked several times and that there was movement around the time she said she was in her children’s room. The deleted text said her message was sent and received.

At the time of Eric Richens’ death, only the couple and their three young sons were home.

The book’s dedication mentions “my wonderful husband”

A year after her husband’s death, Richens published a book, Are You With Me? Because, according to her Amazon description, she “brings peace and comfort to children who have lost her loved ones.” This book helps reassure children that their loved ones “are not there, but their presence is always present and goes through life with you as if they were here.”

In the 41-page book, a boy asks if his father stays with him when he’s sad or angry, or if he stays with him on special occasions… school days.

The father reassures the boy that he will be there in all those moments.

Kouri Richins dedicated this book to “My Wonderful Husband and Wonderful Father”. Removed from Amazon.

In an interview with Salt Lake City’s KTVX-TV last month, Richens discussed her book and her husband’s death.

“It shocked us all. My kids and I wrote this book about the different emotions and grieving processes we went through in the last year. I hope other kids have dealt with this and are feeling better in some way.” I hope I can help you find happiness in.” She told a KTVX reporter.

She went on to talk about how she tells her children, “Daddy’s still here, but in a different way.” said that he wrote this book after seeing

The bureau updated its story on Tuesday, saying Richins was unaware of the alleged murder of her husband.

Last week, she posted a video collage of her husband and children on Facebook, writing in the caption that life would have been difficult without her husband.

“The cards I was dealt look like a game you can’t play,” she posted, adding the hashtag “Welcome home.”

Fentanyl overdose led to man’s death, autopsy shows

Investigators said an autopsy and toxicology report found Eric Richens died of a fentanyl overdose, according to a probable cause statement. and said it was “illegal” fentanyl and not medical grade. It is also believed that he took drugs orally, according to the probable cause statement.

Authorities accused Richins of obtaining fentanyl pills from an acquaintance identified as “CL,” the probable cause statement said. They also alleged that Eric Richens told a friend, weeks before he died, that he believed his wife tried to poison him after dinner on Valentine’s Day.

According to the documents, a search using a warrant found several communications between Kouri Richchins and an acquaintance on her phone.

The acquaintance, who has been charged with multiple drug-related charges, told investigators that Richens was in contact between December 2021 and February 2022 and was “prescribed pain reliever for an investor with a back injury. ‘, he said.

“Within a few days, CL procured hydrocodone pills from a dealer. and defendant left cash in CL.”

An acquaintance obtained 15 to 30 fentanyl tablets and delivered them to Richins. Richins paid him $900 for the drug. Three days later, on February 14, 2022, after eating Valentine’s Day dinner at his home with his wife, Eric Richens fell ill, according to the documents.

“Eric believed he was poisoned. Eric told a friend he thought his wife was going to poison him,” investigators wrote.

“About two weeks later, defendant contacted CL again, saying her investors wanted something stronger and asked for ‘some of the Michael Jackson stuff.’ Defendant specifically fentanyl. ‘, according to the probable cause statement.

She paid $900 for drugs again, it said. Days later, her husband died.

The sheriff’s office declined to answer questions about the incident, saying it was being handled by police. Summit County Attorney’s Office. County Attorney Margaret Olson said her office would not be issuing a statement on the matter.

“Keep in mind that the suspect and the suspect have three young children. This matter is very sensitive and difficult,” she said in an email.

A detention hearing is scheduled for May 19.

fix (May 9, 2023 at 7:15 PM ET): A previous version of this article misspelled the Summit County attorney’s name. She’s Margaret Olson, not Margaret.