Utah businessman Eric Richins was reportedly killed by his wife Kouri Richins for financial gain. Details about his fortune, spouse, family and more explored.

In March 2022, Eric Richins, 39, died after he was found unresponsive in his home in Kamas. Later, his wife, Kouri Richins was charged for murder.

Following his death, his author spouse went on to write a children’s book about dealing with grief.

Kouri Richins was arrested on May 8, 2023, and faces charges of aggravated murder and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Who was Eric Richins?

Eric Richins was an American businessman who born on May 13, 1982. He grew up on a cattle ranch mending fences and hauling hay.

According to Eric’s obituary, his parents are Linda Richins (mother) and Eugene “Gene” Richins (father). Sadly, his mom had passed prior to his tragic death. His dad is still alive.

He had two siblings – all sisters, and was the oldest of the three. His sisters names are Katie Richins-Benson and Amy Richins.

He professionally worked as a missionary before building his masonry business.

Characterized as the ultimate “family man” in his obituary, Eric was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and had gone on a two-year mission to Mexico City. 

Eric married Kouri Richins in a backyard wedding in their Kamas, Utah home June 15, 2013.

The duo then went on to welcomed three children together. He lived out of the spotlight with his wife and kids until aftermath of his death made headlines.

Eric’s spouse Kouri is a ‘failed’ real estate agent who allegedly had millions in debt. She is studying for the LSAT in the hopes of becoming a defense lawyer for people unjustly accused.

What happened to Eric Richins?

On March 4, 2022, Eric Richins was found dead from a fentanyl overdose at his family’s home.

Eric was found at the foot of his bed and was declared dead at the scene by officials after efforts to save him failed.

His real estate agent wife was interviewed by investigators, telling them that the couple was celebrating closing on a house for her business the night before.

Kouri told investigators at the time that she made her husband an alcoholic drink and brought it to him in the bedroom and later found him unresponsive and “cold to the touch”.

Investigators said the only people in the house at the time were Eric, Kouri, and their children.

What was Eric Richins’ net worth?

Per report sighted on MailOnline, Eric Richins was worth $3.6 million in real estate which his wife was due to get access upon his death.

Two years prior to his death, he had started a masonry business called C&E Stone Masonry with his business partner and close friend Cody Wright; the letters in the company’s name corresponded to their own initials, according to a petition filed Wednesday in an ongoing probate case over Richins’ estate.

In June, it was reported that Eric Richins’ estate had filed a $13 million lawsuit against his wife, Kouri.

The lawsuit alleges Kouri had “willfully interfered” with Eric’s property by taking possession of his credit cards without permission and taking money from his bank accounts.

According to the lawsuit, Kouri’s realty business was about $6 million in debt and its bank account was overdrawn by $22,000.

A report by NY Post regarding the suit, filed in state court Tuesday by Katie Richins, the sister of Kouri Richins’ late husband Eric Richins, insists the alleged murderer funneled cash from the husband’s bank accounts, diverted money intended to cover his taxes and obtained a $250,000 fraudulent loan before his death in March 2022.

The Utah woman – who worked as a housekeeper through college – reportedly purchased millions of dollars worth of life insurance without her husband knowing, according to prosecutors in the case.

Did Kouri Richins kill her husband?

A year after her husband’s death on May 8, 2023, Kouri was charged with poisoning her husband.

An autopsy determined that Eric died of an overdose after the medical examiner found five times the lethal dosage of fentanyl in his system.

The medical examiner concluded that the drug had been ingested orally.

Authorities also uncovered a previous incident that happened weeks prior, on Valentine’s Day, that saw Eric “became very ill.” 

“Eric believed that he had been poisoned,” a probable cause statement read, via KUTV.

“Eric told a friend that he thought his wife was trying to poison him.”

Investigators also say they have obtained alleged text messages between Kouri and an unidentified acquaintance that shows the author soliciting fentanyl from the person in question.

The two had reportedly been texting one another between December 2021 and February 2022.

Where is Kourin Richins now?

According to court documents, she was charged with first-degree aggravated murder and second-degree possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Richins remains in custody awaiting trial and was denied bail.

At a detention hearing on June 12, 2023, prosecutors alleged that Richins had calculatingly plotted to kill her husband, making financial arrangements and purchasing drugs found in his system.

Chief Prosecutor Patricia Cassell said: “One or two pills might be accidental. Twenty or five times the lethal dose is not accidental. That is someone who wants Eric dead.”

Richins’ attorneys argued the evidence against her was both dubious and circumstantial.

Kouri faces between 25 years and life in prison without parole if convicted of her husband’s murder. Her trial date has not yet been set. A hearing in the case is slated for Sept. 1.

What is Kouri Richins’ book?

Just a few days after the one-year anniversary of Eric’s death, Kouri published the children’s book, Are You With Me?, which helps guide children through grief.

She told ABC4: “So my husband passed away unexpectedly last year, so March 4th is our one-year anniversary for us. He was 39.

“It completely took us all by shock and we have three little boys — 10, nine, and six.

“I just wanted some story to read to my kids at night.

“I took some things that my kids have said to me in the last year and we kind of articulated it and put it in a story.”

The book was available on Amazon but has since been taken down.

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