Grief author accused of husband’s death.

Kouri Richins, a Utah woman who wrote a children’s book on processing grief following the sudden death of her husband, Eric Richins, last year, has been accused of poisoning him with a lethal dose of fentanyl. She faces charges including aggravated murder and possession of drugs with the intent to distribute. According to a probable cause statement in the charging document, Eric Richins was found dead at the foot of their bed on March 4, 2022, and an autopsy report indicated he died from a fentanyl overdose. Kouri Richins allegedly told police that the duo had been celebrating her closing a house for her business on the night of March 3, and she made Eric a Moscow Mule which he consumed while sitting in bed. She went to sleep with one of their children, and upon returning to her bedroom around 3 a.m., found Eric “cold to the touch.” However, first responders advised that it did not appear that she had done any CPR, due to the large amount of blood that came from Eric’s mouth. The medical examiner indicated the fentanyl was “illicit fentanyl,” not medical grade, and that it was likely ingested orally.

Kouri Richins allegedly contacted an acquaintance about two weeks later, asking for $900 worth of fentanyl pills, which were procured on Feb. 26, 2022. Six days later, on March 4, Eric was found dead from a fentanyl overdose, the charging document stated. Several of Eric’s family members told investigators they “suspected his wife had something to do with his death,” and Eric had removed Kouri Richins from his will and life insurance prior to his death. The couple was allegedly arguing over a nearly $2 million property she wanted to flip.

This case raises questions about the real motives behind Kouri Richins’s children’s book on processing grief following her husband’s death. Was the book an attempt to cover up her involvement or a genuine attempt to help others who may be dealing with grief? It also raises questions about how well we really know those closest to us. It’s scary to think that someone can be capable of such a heinous act, that they can seem like they’re grieving alongside us, but could actually be a perpetrator.

Furthermore, the case highlights the dangers of illicit fentanyl. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, and it is usually prescribed to treat severe pain associated with cancer. However, illegal fentanyl has become a significant contributor to drug overdose deaths. Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, and people often don’t know what they are taking, leading to accidental overdose. It is tragic that someone would use such a deadly substance to harm another person.

Overall, this case is a tragic reminder that grief can make people vulnerable and easily manipulated. It is important to be vigilant when dealing with grief and to seek professional help if necessary. Additionally, we need to collectively address the crisis of drug overdose deaths by increasing access to addiction treatment and harm reduction services. We must do everything in our power to prevent more unnecessary deaths like Eric Richins’s.