Topline: A forensic pathologist testified that Eric Richins died from a lethal dose of fentanyl.
Published: February 27, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Background: Kouri Richins, in court May 2024 (via AP); inset: Eric and Kouri Richins (via Skye Lazaro)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — A former medical examiner told jurors that Eric Richins died from a lethal dose of fentanyl during the second day of his wife’s murder trial.
Dr. Pamela Ulmer, formerly with the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, explained to jurors that toxicology results showed a fatal fentanyl level. The Park Record reported that Ulmer performed the autopsy on March 5, 2022, one day after Eric Richins was found dead.
The Summit County Attorney’s Office charged Kouri Richins with the murder of her husband on May 8, 2023. Prosecutors allege she poisoned him with a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid. Defense attorneys argue there is no evidence to show how the victim ingested the drug.
Ulmer testified that the victim had no history of illicit drug use or prescription abuse. The forensic pathologist said his fentanyl level should have been zero. According to CourtTV, the presence of the drug indicated it had been ingested shortly before his death.
The autopsy revealed no evidence of a stroke or a heart attack. Ulmer said Eric Richins had early coronary artery disease, but it was not a factor in his death. His respiratory system showed signs of distress consistent with an overdose.
Tests for allergies and fungal ailments were negative. While the victim tested positive for COVID-19, Ulmer said the virus did not contribute to his death.
The death certificate lists the cause of death as drug intoxication. However, the manner of death is listed as undetermined. Ulmer said she retired in 2023 before the investigation was complete and did not have enough information to classify it as a homicide, accident or suicide.
As per The Park Record, emergency medical personnel also testified on Feb. 24. Margaret Offret, a former Park City Fire District responder, said she found the victim lying straight on the floor at the foot of the bed. She testified this was unusual because bodies moved for life-saving measures are typically found at the side of the bed.
Defense attorney Wendy Lewis noted that other responders reached the victim before Offret. She suggested someone else could have moved the body before Offret arrived, as reported by CourtTV.
Summit County Sheriff’s Deputy Vincent Nguyen testified that Kouri Richins’ behavior at the scene seemed abnormal. He said she kept her face in her hands and did not look at him directly when he asked questions.
Defense attorney Alexander Ramos questioned Nguyen about his ability to interpret grief. Ramos also asked about the death investigation checklist and whether the home was properly secured.
Nguyen acknowledged the home was only semi-secured during his time there. He said he followed standard procedures for the death certificate and case file.
Deputy David Pimentel testified that his initial search for medications was limited to a small area of the home. He said officers did not find drugs or paraphernalia during the first response.
Investigators later recovered THC gummies and other items from drawers and cabinets after obtaining a search warrant. Defense attorneys used the testimony to suggest weaknesses in the chain of custody for the evidence.
Lead crime scene technician Chelsea Gipson presented a 3-D scan of the home to the jury. She identified where investigators found cellphones, prescription bottles and marijuana gummies during later searches.
The trial is scheduled to resume later this week with the cross-examination of Gipson.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Day Two of Kouri Richins Murder Trial: Autopsy Results Revealed
A forensic pathologist testified that Eric Richins died from a lethal dose of fentanyl.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 27, 2026 6:00 am ET
Background: Kouri Richins, in court May 2024 (via AP); inset: Eric and Kouri Richins (via Skye Lazaro)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — A former medical examiner told jurors that Eric Richins died from a lethal dose of fentanyl during the second day of his wife’s murder trial.
Dr. Pamela Ulmer, formerly with the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, explained to jurors that toxicology results showed a fatal fentanyl level. The Park Record reported that Ulmer performed the autopsy on March 5, 2022, one day after Eric Richins was found dead.
The Summit County Attorney’s Office charged Kouri Richins with the murder of her husband on May 8, 2023. Prosecutors allege she poisoned him with a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid. Defense attorneys argue there is no evidence to show how the victim ingested the drug.
Ulmer testified that the victim had no history of illicit drug use or prescription abuse. The forensic pathologist said his fentanyl level should have been zero. According to CourtTV, the presence of the drug indicated it had been ingested shortly before his death.
The autopsy revealed no evidence of a stroke or a heart attack. Ulmer said Eric Richins had early coronary artery disease, but it was not a factor in his death. His respiratory system showed signs of distress consistent with an overdose.
Tests for allergies and fungal ailments were negative. While the victim tested positive for COVID-19, Ulmer said the virus did not contribute to his death.
The death certificate lists the cause of death as drug intoxication. However, the manner of death is listed as undetermined. Ulmer said she retired in 2023 before the investigation was complete and did not have enough information to classify it as a homicide, accident or suicide.
As per The Park Record, emergency medical personnel also testified on Feb. 24. Margaret Offret, a former Park City Fire District responder, said she found the victim lying straight on the floor at the foot of the bed. She testified this was unusual because bodies moved for life-saving measures are typically found at the side of the bed.
Defense attorney Wendy Lewis noted that other responders reached the victim before Offret. She suggested someone else could have moved the body before Offret arrived, as reported by CourtTV.
Summit County Sheriff’s Deputy Vincent Nguyen testified that Kouri Richins’ behavior at the scene seemed abnormal. He said she kept her face in her hands and did not look at him directly when he asked questions.
Defense attorney Alexander Ramos questioned Nguyen about his ability to interpret grief. Ramos also asked about the death investigation checklist and whether the home was properly secured.
Nguyen acknowledged the home was only semi-secured during his time there. He said he followed standard procedures for the death certificate and case file.
Deputy David Pimentel testified that his initial search for medications was limited to a small area of the home. He said officers did not find drugs or paraphernalia during the first response.
Investigators later recovered THC gummies and other items from drawers and cabinets after obtaining a search warrant. Defense attorneys used the testimony to suggest weaknesses in the chain of custody for the evidence.
Lead crime scene technician Chelsea Gipson presented a 3-D scan of the home to the jury. She identified where investigators found cellphones, prescription bottles and marijuana gummies during later searches.
The trial is scheduled to resume later this week with the cross-examination of Gipson.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Day Two of Kouri Richins Murder Trial: Autopsy Results Revealed
A forensic pathologist testified that Eric Richins died from a lethal dose of fentanyl.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 27, 2026 6:00 am ET
Background: Kouri Richins, in court May 2024 (via AP); inset: Eric and Kouri Richins (via Skye Lazaro)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — A former medical examiner told jurors that Eric Richins died from a lethal dose of fentanyl during the second day of his wife’s murder trial.
Dr. Pamela Ulmer, formerly with the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, explained to jurors that toxicology results showed a fatal fentanyl level. The Park Record reported that Ulmer performed the autopsy on March 5, 2022, one day after Eric Richins was found dead.
The Summit County Attorney’s Office charged Kouri Richins with the murder of her husband on May 8, 2023. Prosecutors allege she poisoned him with a lethal dose of the synthetic opioid. Defense attorneys argue there is no evidence to show how the victim ingested the drug.
Ulmer testified that the victim had no history of illicit drug use or prescription abuse. The forensic pathologist said his fentanyl level should have been zero. According to CourtTV, the presence of the drug indicated it had been ingested shortly before his death.
The autopsy revealed no evidence of a stroke or a heart attack. Ulmer said Eric Richins had early coronary artery disease, but it was not a factor in his death. His respiratory system showed signs of distress consistent with an overdose.
Tests for allergies and fungal ailments were negative. While the victim tested positive for COVID-19, Ulmer said the virus did not contribute to his death.
The death certificate lists the cause of death as drug intoxication. However, the manner of death is listed as undetermined. Ulmer said she retired in 2023 before the investigation was complete and did not have enough information to classify it as a homicide, accident or suicide.
As per The Park Record, emergency medical personnel also testified on Feb. 24. Margaret Offret, a former Park City Fire District responder, said she found the victim lying straight on the floor at the foot of the bed. She testified this was unusual because bodies moved for life-saving measures are typically found at the side of the bed.
Defense attorney Wendy Lewis noted that other responders reached the victim before Offret. She suggested someone else could have moved the body before Offret arrived, as reported by CourtTV.
Summit County Sheriff’s Deputy Vincent Nguyen testified that Kouri Richins’ behavior at the scene seemed abnormal. He said she kept her face in her hands and did not look at him directly when he asked questions.
Defense attorney Alexander Ramos questioned Nguyen about his ability to interpret grief. Ramos also asked about the death investigation checklist and whether the home was properly secured.
Nguyen acknowledged the home was only semi-secured during his time there. He said he followed standard procedures for the death certificate and case file.
Deputy David Pimentel testified that his initial search for medications was limited to a small area of the home. He said officers did not find drugs or paraphernalia during the first response.
Investigators later recovered THC gummies and other items from drawers and cabinets after obtaining a search warrant. Defense attorneys used the testimony to suggest weaknesses in the chain of custody for the evidence.
Lead crime scene technician Chelsea Gipson presented a 3-D scan of the home to the jury. She identified where investigators found cellphones, prescription bottles and marijuana gummies during later searches.
The trial is scheduled to resume later this week with the cross-examination of Gipson.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
