Topline: A judge ordered consecutive sentences for the Utah woman convicted of murder, attempted murder, and financial fraud.
Published: May 14, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Kouri Richins at her sentencing (via Idaho News/Youtube)
PARK CITY, UT — A Utah judge sentenced Kouri Richins to life in prison without the possibility of parole May 13 for the 2022 murder of her husband, Eric Richins.
The sentence follows a jury conviction two months ago on charges of murder, attempted murder, insurance fraud, and forgery. Richins appeared in court wearing a neon yellow prison jumpsuit to hear the final judgment, as reported by CNN.
Eric Richins died on March 4, 2022, from a fentanyl overdose. An autopsy determined he ingested five times the lethal dose of the drug. According to CBS News, authorities arrested Kouri Richins 14 months after the death, alleging she spiked her husband’s drink with the synthetic opioid.
Judge Richard Mrazik weighed a sentence of 25 years to life against the maximum of life without parole. He chose the latter, citing the safety and requests of the couple’s three sons, who had asked for the harshest possible penalty.
The court also ordered consecutive sentences for the remaining counts. These include five years to life for attempted murder, one to 15 years for each count of insurance fraud, and up to five years for felony forgery.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that the defendant killed her husband to gain control of his multimillion-dollar estate and collect approximately $2 million in life insurance benefits. While Richins had already collected $1.39 million in insurance payouts, prosecutors are now seeking restitution for those companies. A sentencing memo also revealed that Richins still holds life insurance policies on her three children.
The hearing included emotional victim impact statements. The couple’s three sons provided statements describing the loss of their father and expressing a deep fear of their mother should she ever be released. CNN noted that while many in the courtroom were moved to tears, Richins appeared largely emotionless during her sons’ statements.
However, Richins was observed making animated faces and was seen laughing during a statement by her former sister-in-law, who spoke about the personal tragedies she suffered following Eric’s death. Richins did eventually shed tears when her brother spoke on her behalf and during her own 45-minute address, which she dedicated to a message for her sons.
Following the sentencing, a spokesperson for the Summit County Attorney’s Office called the proceedings a somber occasion to honor Eric Richins. CBS News reported that the defense plans to file a motion for a new trial immediately. The judge has given the defense 14 days to file a formal request for an extension of time to submit that motion.
Richins was remanded to the Utah prison system and escorted from the courtroom at the conclusion of the hearing.
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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Kouri Richins Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Husband’s Fentanyl Death
A judge ordered consecutive sentences for the Utah woman convicted of murder, attempted murder, and financial fraud.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 14, 2026 6:00 am ET
Kouri Richins at her sentencing (via Idaho News/Youtube)
PARK CITY, UT — A Utah judge sentenced Kouri Richins to life in prison without the possibility of parole May 13 for the 2022 murder of her husband, Eric Richins.
The sentence follows a jury conviction two months ago on charges of murder, attempted murder, insurance fraud, and forgery. Richins appeared in court wearing a neon yellow prison jumpsuit to hear the final judgment, as reported by CNN.
Eric Richins died on March 4, 2022, from a fentanyl overdose. An autopsy determined he ingested five times the lethal dose of the drug. According to CBS News, authorities arrested Kouri Richins 14 months after the death, alleging she spiked her husband’s drink with the synthetic opioid.
Judge Richard Mrazik weighed a sentence of 25 years to life against the maximum of life without parole. He chose the latter, citing the safety and requests of the couple’s three sons, who had asked for the harshest possible penalty.
The court also ordered consecutive sentences for the remaining counts. These include five years to life for attempted murder, one to 15 years for each count of insurance fraud, and up to five years for felony forgery.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that the defendant killed her husband to gain control of his multimillion-dollar estate and collect approximately $2 million in life insurance benefits. While Richins had already collected $1.39 million in insurance payouts, prosecutors are now seeking restitution for those companies. A sentencing memo also revealed that Richins still holds life insurance policies on her three children.
The hearing included emotional victim impact statements. The couple’s three sons provided statements describing the loss of their father and expressing a deep fear of their mother should she ever be released. CNN noted that while many in the courtroom were moved to tears, Richins appeared largely emotionless during her sons’ statements.
However, Richins was observed making animated faces and was seen laughing during a statement by her former sister-in-law, who spoke about the personal tragedies she suffered following Eric’s death. Richins did eventually shed tears when her brother spoke on her behalf and during her own 45-minute address, which she dedicated to a message for her sons.
Following the sentencing, a spokesperson for the Summit County Attorney’s Office called the proceedings a somber occasion to honor Eric Richins. CBS News reported that the defense plans to file a motion for a new trial immediately. The judge has given the defense 14 days to file a formal request for an extension of time to submit that motion.
Richins was remanded to the Utah prison system and escorted from the courtroom at the conclusion of the hearing.
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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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Kouri Richins Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Husband’s Fentanyl Death
A judge ordered consecutive sentences for the Utah woman convicted of murder, attempted murder, and financial fraud.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 14, 2026 6:00 am ET
Kouri Richins at her sentencing (via Idaho News/Youtube)
PARK CITY, UT — A Utah judge sentenced Kouri Richins to life in prison without the possibility of parole May 13 for the 2022 murder of her husband, Eric Richins.
The sentence follows a jury conviction two months ago on charges of murder, attempted murder, insurance fraud, and forgery. Richins appeared in court wearing a neon yellow prison jumpsuit to hear the final judgment, as reported by CNN.
Eric Richins died on March 4, 2022, from a fentanyl overdose. An autopsy determined he ingested five times the lethal dose of the drug. According to CBS News, authorities arrested Kouri Richins 14 months after the death, alleging she spiked her husband’s drink with the synthetic opioid.
Judge Richard Mrazik weighed a sentence of 25 years to life against the maximum of life without parole. He chose the latter, citing the safety and requests of the couple’s three sons, who had asked for the harshest possible penalty.
The court also ordered consecutive sentences for the remaining counts. These include five years to life for attempted murder, one to 15 years for each count of insurance fraud, and up to five years for felony forgery.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that the defendant killed her husband to gain control of his multimillion-dollar estate and collect approximately $2 million in life insurance benefits. While Richins had already collected $1.39 million in insurance payouts, prosecutors are now seeking restitution for those companies. A sentencing memo also revealed that Richins still holds life insurance policies on her three children.
The hearing included emotional victim impact statements. The couple’s three sons provided statements describing the loss of their father and expressing a deep fear of their mother should she ever be released. CNN noted that while many in the courtroom were moved to tears, Richins appeared largely emotionless during her sons’ statements.
However, Richins was observed making animated faces and was seen laughing during a statement by her former sister-in-law, who spoke about the personal tragedies she suffered following Eric’s death. Richins did eventually shed tears when her brother spoke on her behalf and during her own 45-minute address, which she dedicated to a message for her sons.
Following the sentencing, a spokesperson for the Summit County Attorney’s Office called the proceedings a somber occasion to honor Eric Richins. CBS News reported that the defense plans to file a motion for a new trial immediately. The judge has given the defense 14 days to file a formal request for an extension of time to submit that motion.
Richins was remanded to the Utah prison system and escorted from the courtroom at the conclusion of the hearing.
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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