Kouri Richins, a Utah woman who wrote a children's book about grief after her husband's death, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for poisoning him. The sentence was handed down on May 14, 2026, in a Utah court, according to verified news reports.
Richins was found guilty of murder in March 2026 for the 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins. She had administered a lethal dose of fentanyl to him at their home in Kamas, Utah. Prosecutors argued she killed him for financial gain, including life insurance policies and property.
Following her husband's death, Richins self-published a children's book titled 'Are You with Me?' which was marketed as a story to help children cope with the loss of a parent. The case drew widespread media attention due to the unusual circumstances.
During the trial, evidence showed Richins had researched poisons and fentanyl dosages online before her husband's death. She was also found to have attempted to have him killed on a previous occasion. The defense argued that Eric Richins died from an accidental overdose, but the jury rejected that claim.
Richins' attorney has indicated plans to appeal the conviction. The case has sparked discussions about the misuse of grief narratives for personal gain.
