Real estate agent charged in husband’s murder

A year after the sudden death of her husband, a real estate agent in Utah has been charged with his murder.

Kouri Richins, 33, is charged with murdering her husband, Eric, by fentanyl poisoning at their home outside of Park City, the New York Times reported. She’s also been charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Early last March, the married couple celebrated the closing of a house sale by Richins, according to court documents. She allegedly made her husband a cocktail. Hours later, she was awoken by one of her kids, she told investigators, and returned to bed to find her husband cold to the touch and called 911.

Eric was pronounced dead at the scene after lifesaving measures failed, according to court documents.

Richins told investigators her phone remained plugged in when she went to check on her son. Investigators, however, determined the phone was used multiple times between her check and her call. There were also allegedly text messages sent to an acquaintance, which were subsequently deleted.

At one point, Richins allegedly texted the acquaintance to ask for fentanyl. The person sold her 15 to 30 pills for $900, according to court documents.

If Richins is found guilty, the brazenness of her actions will draw some scrutiny. Two months ago, she wrote a children’s book designed to help her three sons process their grief. She’s even promoted it on local television.

Prior to Eric’s death, he became ill following a Valentine’s Day dinner. He allegedly told friends that he believed his wife was trying to poison him.

A detention hearing is set for Friday.

Richins was a real estate agent for a company she founded in April 2019, according to KJZZ. In November, a couple sued her for fraud due to significant issues discovered in a home Richins sold to them in 2020.

— Holden Walter-Warner