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Was Kouri Richins stealing from her husband? Eric Richins' estate files $13M counter lawsuit against ex-wife

The children’s book author has been accused of giving a fatal dose of fentanyl to Eric, leading to his death in March last year

KAMAS, UTAH: Kouri Richins is now facing a lawsuit filed by her dead husband’s family as they have accused her of stealing money from Eric as well as killing him and making money at the cost of his death. Reports have said that the suit seeks over $13 million from the alleged murderer.

The children’s book author is currently inside a prison cell at the Summit County Jail awaiting trial after being pressed with criminal homicide, aggravated murder, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute charges. Eric died in March 2022 after he was fed an alcoholic drink laced with fentanyl.

Kouri allegedly made a fake power of attorney

Now, the suit against her has alleged that Kouri thieved “hundreds of thousands” dollars from Eric’s estate. She also apparently got a loan of $250,000 after making a fake power of attorney and wrongfully took tax payments from him apart from secretly taking numerous insurance policies out on his life. 

Besides, the sister of Eric, Katie Richins-Benson, who represents her brother’s estate, claimed that the mother-of-three thieved “other estate property after Eric Richins’ death, including at least $225,000 cash, theater room furniture, an electric motorcycle, a flatbed trailer and several vehicles, off-road vehicles, ATVs and other recreational vehicles,” The Salt Lake Tribune reported.

'Kouri committed the foregoing acts in calculated, systematic fashion'

The suit reportedly claimed, "Kouri committed the foregoing acts in calculated, systematic fashion and for no reason other than to actualize a horrific endgame—to conceal her ruinous debt, misappropriate assets for the benefit of her personal businesses, orchestrate Eric’s demise, and profit from his passing."

Kouri has also allegedly used Eric after his death as she marketed her book named, ‘Are You With Me?’ which “guides children through the difficult experience of losing a loved one” mentioning his name and identity. But failed to take his family's permission.

This comes days after the woman filed a suit demanding her part in Eric’s estate. The 33-year-old also wanted her rights over her husband’s house, where she used to live after their marriage.

‘Got to let the justice system work’

Meanwhile, the latest development in Kouri’s case has received a lot of online attention with a user tweeting, “Just thinking about their 3 boys 💔 I hope they are full of love and are as much as possible protected from this 🙏🏽.” Another user commented, “Wow somehow I feel better as well. I find her greed so offensive. Pulling for the sister. Garnish every cent from those books IMHO.”

The third one noted, “There were flaws in the way Eric Richins did his estate planning. I believe she has a chance to legally win a suit against his estate, unfortunately. I believe she is 100 percent guilty and deserves nothing. Got to let the justice system work.” “Kouri’s going through some things. Good,” the fourth one added.