The murder trial of Kouri Richins in Summit County, Utah, has laid bare a chilling sequence of events surrounding the March 4, 2022, death of her husband, Eric Richins, 39. Prosecutors allege the 35-year-old mother of three and real estate investor deliberately poisoned Eric with a lethal dose of illicit fentanyl by spiking a homemade Moscow mule cocktail, motivated by financial desperation, marital strife, and an affair. The timeline — from a late-night drink to a fatal overdose discovered hours later — combined with toxicology findings and digital evidence, forms the core of the prosecution’s case for premeditated murder.

Late Evening, March 3, 2022: The Fatal Drink Prosecutors claim Kouri Richins mixed a Moscow mule (typically vodka, ginger beer, and lime, served in a copper mug) in the kitchen of their Kamas home shortly before midnight. Eric, a successful stonemason and father of three young boys, consumed the cocktail. No alcohol was later detected in his system, supporting the theory that the drink served primarily as a vehicle for the drug. Eric reportedly felt unwell or tired soon after and headed to bed. Kouri allegedly stayed up or monitored the situation.

Early Morning, March 4, 2022: Discovery and Death Around 3 a.m., Kouri called emergency services after finding Eric unresponsive and cold to the touch in bed. Paramedics arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene or shortly after. Initial reports suggested a possible heart issue or natural causes, but the absence of obvious trauma prompted further investigation.

Months Later: Toxicology Bombshell An autopsy and toxicology report, completed in the following months, revealed fentanyl intoxication as the cause of death. The level in Eric’s system was approximately five times the lethal dose — a massive, illicit quantity inconsistent with accidental exposure or prescribed use. Eric had no known history of opioid abuse, and no injection sites or other administration evidence pointed to oral ingestion, aligning with the spiked-drink theory. Medical examiners, including former Utah chief Dr. Erik Christensen, confirmed fentanyl in the digestive system contents, ruling out other contributing substances at toxic levels.

Prosecutors’ Digital Evidence: Searches, Records, and Deletions Investigators recovered phone data showing patterns of activity tied to fentanyl acquisition and cover-up attempts. Kouri’s devices allegedly contained searches such as “What is a lethal dose of fentanyl?” in the period leading up to Eric’s death. Additional queries reportedly included “luxury prisons for the rich in America,” life insurance payout details, and methods to recover or delete messages remotely. Prosecutors presented forensic analysis of multiple phones (Kouri’s, Eric’s, housekeeper Carmen Lauber’s, and others), highlighting hundreds of deleted texts and web history from the critical weeks around February-March 2022.

Phone records linked Kouri to key witnesses, including Lauber (who testified she purchased fentanyl pills for Richins multiple times, including deliveries weeks before the death) and alleged supplier Robert Crozier. Data showed communications overlapping with alleged drug buys — one as recent as February 11, 2022, and another purportedly five days after Eric’s death. While much early 2022 data was wiped, recovered fragments and call logs bolstered the timeline of procurement. Prosecutors argue these digital footprints demonstrate planning, access to the drug, and attempts to conceal involvement.

Broader Motive and Context The prosecution portrays a life unraveling under debt (millions from property flips), forged life insurance changes for higher payouts, and an ongoing affair with handyman Robert “Josh” Grossman. Intimate texts with Grossman — including repeated “I love you” messages — overlapped with the fentanyl timeline, suggesting desire for a new life without Eric. Prior alleged poisoning attempts (e.g., fentanyl in food) were cited, though not all proven.

The defense maintains no direct evidence ties Kouri to administering the drug, questions witness credibility (e.g., Lauber’s conflicting accounts), and suggests alternative explanations for Eric’s death. Kouri waived her right to testify, and the defense rested without witnesses. As of mid-March 2026, testimony has concluded, jury instructions were discussed, and closing arguments were set for shortly after, with deliberations imminent.

The case gained notoriety when Kouri self-published “Are You With Me?” — a children’s book on coping with loss — shortly after Eric’s death, now seen by many as ironic. Eric’s family, who hired a private investigator, pushed for justice amid estate disputes.

If convicted of aggravated murder, Kouri faces 25 years to life. The trial underscores how digital trails — searches, deletions, and purchase-linked communications — can expose intent in modern poisoning cases, turning a seemingly sudden tragedy into a calculated crime.