Topline: A key witness testified she bought “something stronger” for the Utah mom weeks before the defendant’s husband overdosed.
Published: March 1, 2026 8:00 am ET
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Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Carmen Lauber (via Court TV)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — A former housekeeper for Kouri Richins testified Feb. 26 that she procured and delivered fentanyl to the Utah mother on multiple occasions leading up to the overdose death of Eric Richins.
Kouri Richins faces several felony charges in connection with Eric’s death, including aggravated murder, attempted homicide and fraudulent insurance claims. Prosecutors allege she poisoned her husband with a fatal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Her defense maintains she is innocent and she has pleaded not guilty.
Carmen Lauber, 54, told the jury that she purchased pain pills for Kouri Richins three times before the death and once more after. As per the The Park Record, Lauber gave testimony as part of a plea deal to avoid a potential life sentence for separate drug-related felonies.
Lauber said she decided to cooperate after learning from Summit County investigators that Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose. Lauber told the court she felt a need to take accountability for her part in the events.
Defense attorneys argued that Lauber is an unreliable witness
who may be saying anything to secure immunity. According to Good Morning America, attorney Wendy Lewis noted that Lauber previously told investigators she had memory problems and had “fried her brain” through years of drug use.
Lauber, a resident of Heber City, became emotional during her testimony. She recounted a history of substance abuse that began in the sixth grade. While she testified to being sober for four years, court evidence showed she struggled with sobriety during the period of the alleged drug deliveries.
The witness worked for the defendant’s aunt for nine years before cleaning Kouri Richins’ home and rental properties. Lauber testified the drug requests began in early February 2022. She said the defendant first asked for an opiate for an investor.
Lauber said she used a contact to purchase pills for $600, which the defendant later repaid. According to the testimony, the defendant picked up the pills in Lauber’s driveway the following morning.
Around Feb. 5, 2022, the defendant allegedly asked for “something stronger.” Lauber testified she contacted an acquaintance who put her in touch with a man named Robert Crozier. Lauber said the defendant instructed her to pick up $1,000 in cash from a home in Midway to pay for the pills.
Lauber met Crozier at a gas station on Feb. 11, 2022. She testified she received a plastic bag containing 15 to 20 light green pills. Prosecutors presented selfies of Lauber and a driver from that day as evidence of the trip. This purchase occurred shortly before an alleged attempt to poison Eric Richins with a sandwich on Valentine’s Day.
A third request followed for what Lauber described as “Michael Jackson stuff.” This occurred shortly before Eric Richins died on March 4, 2022. Lauber testified she picked up another $1,000 in cash and met Crozier for 15 to 20 blue pills.
The final purchase happened after the death of Eric Richins. Lauber testified she called the defendant after hearing of the passing and asked if the pills were involved. She said the defendant claimed her husband died of a brain aneurysm.
Prosecutors showed text messages from March 6 and 7, 2022, where the defendant asked if Lauber still had a “hook up” to get her mind off things. A photo of a $1,300 check from K. Richins Realty was shown to the jury. The check was dated March 6 and included a memo for “construction clean,” though Lauber testified she did not do that work.
The defense attorney argued that Lauber was offered a way out of jail and changed her story about fentanyl after suggestions from investigators. Lauber testified that she is moving forward with the truth.
The fourth day of the trial ended with Lauber still on the stand. She is expected to answer more questions from defense attorneys and prosecutors on Feb. 27. The trial is scheduled to continue through March 27.
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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Former Housekeeper Details Alleged Drug Deliveries in Kouri Richins Trial
A key witness testified she bought “something stronger” for the Utah mom weeks before the defendant’s husband overdosed.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 1, 2026 8:00 am ET
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Carmen Lauber (via Court TV)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — A former housekeeper for Kouri Richins testified Feb. 26 that she procured and delivered fentanyl to the Utah mother on multiple occasions leading up to the overdose death of Eric Richins.
Kouri Richins faces several felony charges in connection with Eric’s death, including aggravated murder, attempted homicide and fraudulent insurance claims. Prosecutors allege she poisoned her husband with a fatal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Her defense maintains she is innocent and she has pleaded not guilty.
Carmen Lauber, 54, told the jury that she purchased pain pills for Kouri Richins three times before the death and once more after. As per the The Park Record, Lauber gave testimony as part of a plea deal to avoid a potential life sentence for separate drug-related felonies.
Lauber said she decided to cooperate after learning from Summit County investigators that Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose. Lauber told the court she felt a need to take accountability for her part in the events.
Defense attorneys argued that Lauber is an unreliable witness
who may be saying anything to secure immunity. According to Good Morning America, attorney Wendy Lewis noted that Lauber previously told investigators she had memory problems and had “fried her brain” through years of drug use.
Lauber, a resident of Heber City, became emotional during her testimony. She recounted a history of substance abuse that began in the sixth grade. While she testified to being sober for four years, court evidence showed she struggled with sobriety during the period of the alleged drug deliveries.
The witness worked for the defendant’s aunt for nine years before cleaning Kouri Richins’ home and rental properties. Lauber testified the drug requests began in early February 2022. She said the defendant first asked for an opiate for an investor.
Lauber said she used a contact to purchase pills for $600, which the defendant later repaid. According to the testimony, the defendant picked up the pills in Lauber’s driveway the following morning.
Around Feb. 5, 2022, the defendant allegedly asked for “something stronger.” Lauber testified she contacted an acquaintance who put her in touch with a man named Robert Crozier. Lauber said the defendant instructed her to pick up $1,000 in cash from a home in Midway to pay for the pills.
Lauber met Crozier at a gas station on Feb. 11, 2022. She testified she received a plastic bag containing 15 to 20 light green pills. Prosecutors presented selfies of Lauber and a driver from that day as evidence of the trip. This purchase occurred shortly before an alleged attempt to poison Eric Richins with a sandwich on Valentine’s Day.
A third request followed for what Lauber described as “Michael Jackson stuff.” This occurred shortly before Eric Richins died on March 4, 2022. Lauber testified she picked up another $1,000 in cash and met Crozier for 15 to 20 blue pills.
The final purchase happened after the death of Eric Richins. Lauber testified she called the defendant after hearing of the passing and asked if the pills were involved. She said the defendant claimed her husband died of a brain aneurysm.
Prosecutors showed text messages from March 6 and 7, 2022, where the defendant asked if Lauber still had a “hook up” to get her mind off things. A photo of a $1,300 check from K. Richins Realty was shown to the jury. The check was dated March 6 and included a memo for “construction clean,” though Lauber testified she did not do that work.
The defense attorney argued that Lauber was offered a way out of jail and changed her story about fentanyl after suggestions from investigators. Lauber testified that she is moving forward with the truth.
The fourth day of the trial ended with Lauber still on the stand. She is expected to answer more questions from defense attorneys and prosecutors on Feb. 27. The trial is scheduled to continue through March 27.
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.
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Latest Articles
Former Housekeeper Details Alleged Drug Deliveries in Kouri Richins Trial
A key witness testified she bought “something stronger” for the Utah mom weeks before the defendant’s husband overdosed.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 1, 2026 8:00 am ET
Left: Kouri Richins, Right: Carmen Lauber (via Court TV)
SUMMIT COUNTY, UT — A former housekeeper for Kouri Richins testified Feb. 26 that she procured and delivered fentanyl to the Utah mother on multiple occasions leading up to the overdose death of Eric Richins.
Kouri Richins faces several felony charges in connection with Eric’s death, including aggravated murder, attempted homicide and fraudulent insurance claims. Prosecutors allege she poisoned her husband with a fatal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Her defense maintains she is innocent and she has pleaded not guilty.
Carmen Lauber, 54, told the jury that she purchased pain pills for Kouri Richins three times before the death and once more after. As per the The Park Record, Lauber gave testimony as part of a plea deal to avoid a potential life sentence for separate drug-related felonies.
Lauber said she decided to cooperate after learning from Summit County investigators that Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose. Lauber told the court she felt a need to take accountability for her part in the events.
Defense attorneys argued that Lauber is an unreliable witness
who may be saying anything to secure immunity. According to Good Morning America, attorney Wendy Lewis noted that Lauber previously told investigators she had memory problems and had “fried her brain” through years of drug use.
Lauber, a resident of Heber City, became emotional during her testimony. She recounted a history of substance abuse that began in the sixth grade. While she testified to being sober for four years, court evidence showed she struggled with sobriety during the period of the alleged drug deliveries.
The witness worked for the defendant’s aunt for nine years before cleaning Kouri Richins’ home and rental properties. Lauber testified the drug requests began in early February 2022. She said the defendant first asked for an opiate for an investor.
Lauber said she used a contact to purchase pills for $600, which the defendant later repaid. According to the testimony, the defendant picked up the pills in Lauber’s driveway the following morning.
Around Feb. 5, 2022, the defendant allegedly asked for “something stronger.” Lauber testified she contacted an acquaintance who put her in touch with a man named Robert Crozier. Lauber said the defendant instructed her to pick up $1,000 in cash from a home in Midway to pay for the pills.
Lauber met Crozier at a gas station on Feb. 11, 2022. She testified she received a plastic bag containing 15 to 20 light green pills. Prosecutors presented selfies of Lauber and a driver from that day as evidence of the trip. This purchase occurred shortly before an alleged attempt to poison Eric Richins with a sandwich on Valentine’s Day.
A third request followed for what Lauber described as “Michael Jackson stuff.” This occurred shortly before Eric Richins died on March 4, 2022. Lauber testified she picked up another $1,000 in cash and met Crozier for 15 to 20 blue pills.
The final purchase happened after the death of Eric Richins. Lauber testified she called the defendant after hearing of the passing and asked if the pills were involved. She said the defendant claimed her husband died of a brain aneurysm.
Prosecutors showed text messages from March 6 and 7, 2022, where the defendant asked if Lauber still had a “hook up” to get her mind off things. A photo of a $1,300 check from K. Richins Realty was shown to the jury. The check was dated March 6 and included a memo for “construction clean,” though Lauber testified she did not do that work.
The defense attorney argued that Lauber was offered a way out of jail and changed her story about fentanyl after suggestions from investigators. Lauber testified that she is moving forward with the truth.
The fourth day of the trial ended with Lauber still on the stand. She is expected to answer more questions from defense attorneys and prosecutors on Feb. 27. The trial is scheduled to continue through March 27.
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.
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