June 15, 2013

• Kouri Richins and Eric Richins are married.
• They sign a prenuptial agreement outlining financial arrangements.
• The agreement states Eric’s assets would remain his in the event of divorce.
• Kouri would be entitled to certain assets if Eric died while they were still married.

2015 to 2017

• Kouri allegedly purchases at least four life insurance policies on Eric’s life.
• The aggregate death benefit is nearly $2 million.
• Prosecutors allege the policies were taken out without Eric’s knowledge.

2018

• Kouri Richins and Eric Richins are married.
• They later have four sons.

2019 to 2020

• The family lives in Summit County, Utah.
• Kouri Richins becomes involved in real estate ventures.
• Investigators later point to growing financial strain.

March 2019

• Kouri opens a bank account without Eric’s knowledge.
• She obtains a revolving line of credit.
• She borrows approximately $250,000 using a forged Deed of Trust.

April 26, 2019

• K. Richins Realty LLC formed

September 2020

• Eric discovers Kouri withdrew $100,000 from his bank accounts.
• He learns she borrowed $30,000 using his credit cards.
• He also learns she borrowed money using a fraudulent Power of Attorney.
• Eric confronts Kouri, who promises to repay the money but allegedly does not.
• Prosecutors allege Kouri misused approximately $494,000 of Eric’s money.
• She is also accused of misappropriating tax payments totaling $134,346.

October 2020

• Eric consults a divorce lawyer and an estate planning attorney.
• He changes his will.
• He forms the Eric Richins Living Trust.
• Control of his estate is placed with his sister, Katie Richins-Benson.
• The Trust is established for the benefit of his three children.
• Eric transfers his business partnership interest into the Trust.
• He designates the Trust as the beneficiary of his $500,000 life insurance policy instead of Kouri.

November 2020

• Eric signs a will that includes provisions for his three children.

2021

• Eric Richins reportedly expresses concern about finances.
• Prosecutors later allege disputes about money and control of accounts.
• Life insurance policies are later cited by investigators as relevant to motive.

August 28, 2021 – December 22, 2021

• Kouri issues a series of bad checks from Navy Federal accounts with zero or negative balances.
• Funds are routed through K. Richins Realty and personal accounts before checks are returned.
• Charged as multiple felony counts of issuing bad checks and money laundering

June 29, 2021

• First charged act of mortgage fraud and forgery.
• Kouri submits a falsified bank statement to Iron Bridge Financial showing over $210,000 in funds that did not exist

August 2, 2021

• Second charged act of mortgage fraud and forgery involving Boomerang Finance.
• Another falsified bank statement is submitted

August 12, 2021

• Additional falsified personal bank statement submitted to Excell Financial Services

October 13, 2021

• Additional falsified bank statement submitted in support of mortgage lending

November 23, 2021

• Further falsified bank documentation submitted.
• Charged as mortgage fraud and forgery

January 1, 2022

• Kouri allegedly changes the beneficiary of Eric’s $2 million life insurance policy to herself without authorization.
• The original beneficiary was Eric’s business partner.
• The business partner is later restored as beneficiary once the change is discovered.
• Kouri also applies for a new $100,000 life insurance policy on Eric.

January 22, 2022

• Kouri asks a contractor for fentanyl and later propofol.
• Requests are denied.
• Related text messages are manually deleted from her phone

January 29, 2022

• Kouri applies for a $100,000 life insurance policy on Eric through TruStage.
• Eric has no affiliation with the credit union used for eligibility.
• Application includes a forged signature, incorrect phone number, and a PO Box controlled by Kouri

February 11 to 12, 2022

• Kouri asks the same friend for fentanyl.
• She allegedly pays $900 for approximately 15 to 20 pills.

February 14, 2022

• After a Valentine’s Day dinner at their home, Eric becomes seriously ill.
• Eric eats a sandwich prepared by Kouri.
• Eric later tells a friend he believes Kouri is trying to poison him.
• Kouri allegedly calls a local diner and pays $41.29 for the meal.
• Eric uses his son’s EpiPen and drinks Benadryl after eating the sandwich.

Late February 2022

• Kouri contacts her friend again requesting stronger fentanyl pills.
• She specifically asks for what she calls “Michael Jackson stuff.”

March 3, 2022

• Evening. Eric Richins is home with Kouri Richins.
• Prosecutors later allege she prepared an alcoholic drink for him.
• The state later alleges fentanyl was added.

March 4, 2022

• 3:21 a.m. Kouri calls 911 stating Eric is not breathing.
• EMS notes Eric had been deceased for some time.
• Autopsy finds:
• Fentanyl level approximately five times lethal dose
• Fentanyl consistent with illicit, orally ingested drug
• Quetiapine present in gastric contents
• Medical Examiner rules death as fentanyl intoxication

March to April 2022

• Autopsy and toxicology testing are conducted.
• Cause of death remains pending laboratory results.

March 5, 2022

• The day after Eric’s death, Kouri closes on the home alone.
• She invites friends over for a large gathering.
• Witnesses report she was drinking and celebrating.

March 6, 2022

• Kouri drills into Eric’s safe.
• She retrieves approximately $125,000 to $165,000 in cash.
• She has an altercation with Eric’s sister regarding estate rights.

March 9 to 10, 2022

• Kouri writes a backdated check for $1,300.
• Prosecutors allege the funds were used to obtain additional fentanyl pills.

July 15, 2022

• Eric’s sister hires a private investigator to surveil Kouri.

November 15, 2022

• Alec and Taryn Wright file a lawsuit against Kouri.
• They allege she sold them a mold infested home.
• The lawsuit claims severe health issues resulted.

February 2023

• Kouri files a claim against Eric’s Trust.
• She challenges the appointment of his sister as personal representative.

March 7, 2023

• Kouri publishes a children’s book titled Are You With Me?
• The book focuses on coping with grief.

April 6, 2023

• Kouri gives an interview discussing her book and Eric’s death.
• She claims his death was unexpected.

May 8, 2023

• Kouri Richins is arrested.
• She is charged with aggravated murder.
• She is also charged with three counts of possession of drugs with intent to distribute.

June 10, 2023

• Defense attorneys argue for Kouri’s release.
• They deny the allegations and claim insufficient evidence.

August 18, 2023

• The State of Utah announces it will not seek the death penalty.
• The aggravated murder charge is reduced to a non capital first degree felony.

September 18, 2023

• Prosecutors accuse Kouri of witness tampering.
• A letter found in her jail cell allegedly instructs her brother to testify falsely.
• The letter claims Eric purchased drugs from Mexico.

September 19, 2023

• Defense attorneys claim the letter was part of a fictional novel Kouri was writing.

October 11, 2023

• Defense files a motion to dismiss.
• The motion cites the release of the “Walk the Dog” letter as a gag order violation.

October 12, 2023

• Prosecutors request the full “Walk the Dog” document.
• They argue it is not protected by attorney client privilege.

November 3, 2023

• The judge denies Kouri’s motion to dismiss.
• The court finds the case already had extensive media coverage.
• Claims of a false narrative by the state are rejected.

Additional Charges

2023

• Kouri faces additional charges, including.
• Attempted aggravated murder related to the Valentine’s Day incident
• Two counts of distribution of a controlled substance
• Two counts of mortgage fraud
• Two counts of insurance fraud
• Three counts of forgery

May 20, 2024

• Kouri’s defense team withdraws from the case.
• Attorneys cite an irreconcilable and non waivable ethical conflict.
• The court approves the withdrawal in a private proceeding.

May 24, 2024

• Kouri makes her first public comments since her arrest.
• She asserts her innocence.
• She claims the media misrepresented the case.
• New counsel is appointed.

June 21, 2024

• Kouri, her new defense team, and prosecutors are scheduled to appear before Judge Richard Mrazik.
• The court is expected to address scheduling of a new preliminary hearing.
• Motions to disqualify prosecutors and suppress the “Walk the Dog” letter are expected to be considered.

2025

• Richins remains in custody.
• Case remains in the pretrial phase.

June 27, 2025

• The Summit County Attorney authorizes filing of this expanded Information, including:
• Mortgage fraud
• Forgery
• Insurance fraud
• Money laundering
• Communications fraud
• Pattern of unlawful activity
• Attempted aggravated murder
• Murder for pecuniary gain

March 4, 2022

Initial 911 Call, Death Scene, and First Investigation Actions

• 03:22 a.m. Summit County Dispatch receives a 911 call reporting Eric Richins unresponsive at the Richins residence in Kamas, Utah.
• Deputies and EMS arrive and find Eric Richins unresponsive at the foot of the bed.
• EMS determines Eric is cold to the touch and in asystole.
• Narcan is administered with no effect.
• Eric Richins is pronounced deceased at the scene.
• Kouri Richins provides initial statements regarding.
• Drinking a Moscow Mule with Eric the prior evening
• Sleeping in a child’s room
• Discovering Eric cold and unresponsive
• Deputies note inconsistencies in Kouri’s statements regarding timing, CPR, and phone activity.
• Due to Eric’s age and lack of significant medical history, the Medical Examiner is notified.

March 2022

Autopsy, Toxicology, and Case Reclassification

• The Utah Office of the Medical Examiner conducts an autopsy.
• Toxicology testing identifies.
• Illicit fentanyl at approximately five times the lethal dose
• Oral ingestion indicated by gastric contents
• No prescription fentanyl is identified for Eric Richins.
• Cause of death is determined to be fentanyl intoxication.
• Investigation shifts from unexplained death to potential criminal poisoning.

March–April 2022

Initial Evidence Collection and Digital Seizures

• Detectives obtain search warrants for the Richins residence and electronic devices.
• Kouri Richins’ phone and computers are seized.
• Digital forensic review identifies.
• Deleted messages during key periods surrounding Eric’s death
• Communications requiring further investigation
• Investigators begin reviewing financial, insurance, and digital activity.
  

April 13, 2022

Detective Woody Interview

• Detective Woody interviews Kouri Richins.
• She is informed Eric may have died from fentanyl poisoning.
• Kouri repeatedly denies Eric used illicit drugs.
• She later acknowledges THC edible use.
• Detective Woody explains fentanyl would have required illegal procurement.
• Kouri confirms multiple individuals had access to the home after Eric’s death.
• Investigators advise they will seize and analyze electronic devices.
  

Mid 2022

Financial Crimes Investigation Expands

• Investigators uncover evidence of.
• Mortgage fraud
• Forged bank statements
• Bad checks
• Money laundering
• Insurance fraud
• Evidence shows falsified financial documents submitted between 2019 and 2021.
• Investigators identify a long-term pattern of financial misconduct predating Eric’s death.
  

Late 2022

Drug Procurement Investigation

• Witness interviews identify individuals who supplied drugs to Kouri Richins.
• Investigators document.
• Hydrocodone acquisition in January 2022
• Fentanyl purchases in February 2022
• Communications corroborate transactions occurring weeks before Eric’s death.
  

February 11–14, 2022

Valentine’s Day Poisoning Evidence

• Investigators confirm Eric became violently ill after eating food prepared by Kouri on February 14.
• Eric told friends he believed he was being poisoned.
• This incident becomes the basis for attempted aggravated murder allegations.
  

March 27, 2023

Arrest of Drug Supplier

• A key witness and drug supplier is arrested on unrelated charges.
• While in custody, investigators interview her regarding fentanyl provided to Kouri Richins.
  

May 2, 2023

Recorded Confession by Drug Supplier

• Investigators conduct a Mirandized interview of the supplier.
• She admits.
• Supplying fentanyl to Kouri Richins on multiple occasions
• Receiving approximately $900 per transaction
• Specific pickup and drop-off locations
• Statements are corroborated by digital and financial evidence.
  

May 8, 2023

Arrest and Initial Search Warrants

• Kouri Richins is arrested for aggravated murder.
• Search warrants are executed at the Richins residence.
• Electronic devices and documents are seized.
  

May–June 2023

Expanded Searches and Evidence Review

• Additional search warrants are executed on.
• Phones
• Financial accounts
• Insurance records
• Investigators continue forensic analysis of communications and transactions.
  

September 2023

Incident Reports and Witness Tampering Allegations

• Law enforcement documents communications involving potential witness interference.
• Jail correspondence becomes part of the investigative record.
  

October 19–23, 2023

Hidden Safe Discovery

• One of the Richins children informs the trustee about a hidden safe.
• A private investigator locates a concealed wall safe in the master bedroom closet.
• Surveillance confirms the safe was not accessed after Kouri’s arrest.
  

October 31, 2023

Search Warrant for Hidden Safe

• Detectives obtain and execute a search warrant for the hidden safe.
• Items seized include.
• Pills
• Financial documents
• Evidence relevant to poisoning and financial crimes
  

December 18, 2023

Recorded Jail Calls

• Official transcripts of jail calls between Kouri Richins and her mother are produced.
• Calls discuss subpoenas, evidence, and legal strategy.
• Calls later form part of witness tampering allegations.
  

November 3, 2023

Motion to Dismiss Denied

• Defense motion alleging prosecutorial misconduct is denied.
• Court finds no basis to dismiss charges.
  

June 27, 2025

Expanded Information Filed

• Summit County Attorney files an expanded Information.
• Charges include.
• Murder for pecuniary gain
• Attempted aggravated murder
• Mortgage fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Forgery
• Money laundering
• Pattern of unlawful activity
• Filing consolidates homicide and financial crimes into a unified prosecution theory.

March 4, 2022

Crime Scene Body-Cam and On-Scene Interviews
Summit County Sheriff’s Office

Initial Contact and Statements

3:00 a.m. to 3:22 a.m.

• Kouri Richins states she woke up while sleeping with her children and went to the primary bedroom.
• She reports discovering Eric Richins unresponsive in bed.
• She tells deputies Eric was “cold” when she found him.
• She calls 911 reporting Eric was not breathing.

Deputy Interview at the Scene

5:50 a.m.

• Deputy Nguyen begins speaking with Kouri Richins outside the bedroom.
• Kouri states she and Eric were “fine” before going to bed.
• She reports they had a drink together around 9:00 p.m. to celebrate something related to work.
• She gives inconsistent bedtimes, first stating 9:30 p.m., then correcting to 9:45 p.m.

Follow-Up Statements at the Scene

Shortly after

• Kouri explains she slept with her children and later returned to the marital bed.
• She says Eric was initially lying on the bed and later states he was on his back.
• She confirms her children were awake and listening at the bedroom door.
• She asks deputies not to allow the children to see the scene.

Medical and Health Statements

During initial questioning

• Kouri states Eric had Lyme disease but “nothing major.”
• She denies Eric had any heart problems.
• She says Eric complained of chest pain before bed.
• She attributes his fatigue to allergy shots received the day before.
• She confirms the family recently had COVID but says Eric tested negative about a week earlier.

Discovery of the Body

Deputy questioning

• Kouri states she realized something was wrong when she touched Eric and felt he was cold.
• She says she covered him with a blanket because the room felt cold.
• She states she did not feel breathing and attempted to wake him.
• She reports pulling Eric to the floor to perform CPR after speaking with a 911 operator.

Paramedic Observations

Statements from Paramedic Margaret Offret

• Paramedics report Eric had no pulse and was in asystole the entire time.
• They state Eric was cold upon arrival, indicating he had been deceased for some time.
• Narcan was administered with no effect.
• Paramedics observe blood present during mechanical compressions.
• A hydrocodone prescription bottle dated 2016 is observed in a drawer near the bed.

CPR Discrepancies

Fire and EMS statements

• Dispatch notes initially indicated CPR was being performed.
• A fire department responder later states Kouri was not performing CPR when they arrived.
• Kouri maintains she pulled Eric to the floor to attempt CPR.

Drug Use Statements

Deputy questioning

• Kouri denies any recent illicit drug use by Eric.
• She denies prescription abuse in the past year.
• She later mentions Eric may have taken pain pills when he was in high school.
• She acknowledges Eric sometimes eats THC gummies before bed.

Family Notifications

Early morning

• Kouri calls her mother, Lisa Darden, asking her to come to the house.
• She later calls Eric’s father, Gene Richins, stating Eric is not breathing and paramedics are present.
• She tells Gene CPR is being performed, despite later EMS statements contradicting that claim.

Medical Examiner Involvement

Later that morning

• Deputies inform the family that the Medical Examiner will respond due to Eric’s age and lack of serious health conditions.
• Plans are made to transport Eric’s body for further investigation.

April 13, 2022

Detective Woody Interview
Summit County Sheriff’s Office

Search of the Home and Safety Concerns

April 13, 2022

• Detective Woody states law enforcement will search the home.
• He explains the purpose is to locate any dangerous substances.
• Kouri states the house is not locked and she does not keep it locked.
• She confirms several people are currently at the home, including.
• Her nanny
• Housekeepers
• Her mother
• Her brother
• She confirms all children are at school or preschool.

Electronics and Digital Evidence

During the interview

• Detective Woody explains officers will seize all electronics.
• He states this includes phones, laptops, tablets, and computers.
• He explains the search is necessary to determine whether drugs were ordered electronically.

Kouri’s statements

• Kouri says Eric’s work computer was taken by an employee named Cody.
• She later identifies another employee named Becky who cleaned out the office.
• She states business electronics are no longer at the home.
• She confirms Eric had an iPad but is unsure of its location.

Statements Regarding Cleanup and Missing Evidence

Detective questioning

• Detective Woody notes it is “odd” that nothing was found at the house.
• He raises the possibility that evidence may have been cleaned up.
• He states officers have warrants for all electronics in case evidence was concealed.

Drug Storage Locations

Kouri’s explanation

• Kouri states Eric kept any substances away from children.
• She identifies a medicine cabinet in her bathroom.
• She says items would be kept on the highest shelves where children could not reach them.

Phone Seizure and Interview Continuation

Later in the interview

• Detective Woody asks Kouri if she has her phone with her.
• She states her phone is in her car.
• She also acknowledges having a laptop and a computer for her business.

Conclusion of Interview

End of interview

• Detective Woody states investigators still want to speak with Kouri again.
• He instructs her to think carefully about anything that might explain how fentanyl entered the home.
• Kouri continues to express disbelief, asking why Eric would take fentanyl.
• The interview concludes with plans for continued investigation and evidence collection.