Woman Who Wrote Grief Book After Husband’s Death Convicted of Killing Him

A Utah-based children’s author who wrote about grief following her husband’s death has been found guilty of murdering him in a case that has shocked the United States.

Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old mother of three, was convicted of aggravated murder for poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022, according to court proceedings.

Prosecutors told the court that Richins spiked her husband’s drink with a fatal amount of the synthetic opioid, allegedly administering up to five times the lethal dose. The jury reached its verdict after roughly three hours of deliberation, bringing an end to a high-profile trial that drew national attention.

The case gained widespread publicity due to the defendant’s actions after the killing. Following her husband’s death, Richins authored and promoted a children’s book on coping with grief, titled Are You With Me?, presenting herself as a grieving widow.

During the trial, prosecutors argued that the murder was financially motivated. They alleged that Richins was deeply in debt; reportedly owing about $4.5 million, and believed she would benefit from her husband’s estate and insurance payouts.

Further evidence presented in court included internet searches related to lethal drug doses, testimony from witnesses, and claims that she had previously attempted to poison her husband weeks earlier.

In addition to aggravated murder, Richins was found guilty of attempted murder, insurance fraud, and forgery.

Her defence team argued that investigators failed to adequately explore the possibility of accidental overdose, but they did not call any witnesses, and Richins did not testify in her own defence.

She now faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 2026.

The case has sparked widespread debate about deception, financial desperation, and the disturbing contrast between public image and alleged criminal intent.