Kouri Richins who wrote book on losing a loved one threw a 'large party' day after husband Eric died
KAMAS, UTAH: Kouri Richins, who has been accused of poisoning and killing her husband Eric in 2022, reportedly organized a party a day after his death. According to an affidavit, mother-of-three Richins "invited her friends over for a large party" at her residence in Kamas, Utah.
Summit County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a call at the Richins' residence at 3 am, discovering Eric, 39, unresponsive on the bedroom floor, on March 4, 2022. Richins claimed she found him unresponsive in the middle of the night and mentioned that they had celebrated closing on a house the previous day. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Kouri Richins made Eric a Moscow Mule
At the time, Richins, 33, told investigators that she made her husband a Moscow Mule, a vodka-based drink. However, a toxicology report found five times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system, leading to Eric's death.
"The day after Eric's death, Kouri closed on the home, alone," the affidavit stated, according to Salt Lake Tribune. It added, "She later invited her friends over for a large party at her home where she was drinking and celebrating." Her motive came to light when she launched a legal battle against Eric's family, just weeks after his death, to secure the vast estate.
On Monday, May 8, Richins was charged with one count of first-degree aggravated murder and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. "While investigating the death, I was told by Eric's family members that they suspected his wife had something to do with his death," stated Deputy Jayme Woody in the affidavit, adding, "They advised he warned them that if anything happened to him, she was to blame."
According to the affidavit, years ago, while on vacation in Greece, Eric reportedly fell "violently ill" after Richins made him a drink, leading him to call his sister and expressed his belief that his wife had attempted to kill him.
Eric Richins wanted a divorce
On Valentine's Day 2022, Eric had a severe reaction after eating a sandwich Richins made. He "broke into hives and couldn’t breathe” and had to use his son's EpiPen and took Benadryl before “passing out for several hours.” Eric had changed his will to benefit his sister instead of his wife, indicating his desire for a divorce and ensuring the well-being of their children, the affidavit stated.
Recently, a family spokesperson and attorney hinted at Eric's suspicions of Richins' alleged infidelity. "He'd had concerns previously, and he also had reason to believe she was having a relationship, and that was continuing through their marriage... apparently in person," attorney Greg Skordas told Fox News. Investigators seized Richins' phone and discovered messages exchanged with an individual identified as 'C.L.' in February 2022, discussing getting "some of the Michael Jackson stuff."
Richins had authored a children's book titled 'Are You With Me?' about grief, which was removed from Amazon and Google Books on Wednesday, May 10, after her arrest. It was described as a “heartwarming and reassuring book that gently guides children through the difficult experience of losing a loved one.”
She told 'Good Things Utah' in April, “My kids and I... wrote this book on the different emotions and grieving processes that we’ve experienced last year... hoping that it can kind of help other kids… deal with this, and… find happiness, some way or another.” Richins remains in custody at the Summit County jail and her next court hearing is scheduled for May 19.