Topline: The three boys say they fear for their safety if their mother is ever released from prison.
Published: May 14, 2026 5:00 pm ET
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Kouri and Eric Richins and their three sons (via Facebook)
HEBER CITY, UT — The three sons of Kouri Richins have asked a Utah court to sentence their mother to life in prison, stating in a sentencing memo that they fear for their lives if she is released.
The request comes after a jury convicted Richins, 35, of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, by spiking his drink with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Prosecutors filed the memo containing the children’s statements ahead of a sentencing hearing scheduled for May 13.
The boys, ages nine, 11 and 13, described a persistent fear of their mother. The eldest son, 13-year-old C.R., wrote that he believes his mother would come after him and his brothers if she were freed.
“I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family. I think she would come and take us and not do good things to us, like hurt us,” said Kouri’s 13-year-old son C.R. in a sentencing memo filed by prosecutors and obtained by PEOPLE.
C.R. also noted in the memo that while he misses his father, he does not miss his mother or the way his life used to be. He described his father as a kind person who helped those in need.
The middle son, 11-year-old A.R., told officials he would not feel safe if his mother left jail. He stated that her imprisonment allows him to live a happy life without the fear of her hurting him or the people he loves.
“I don’t want [my mother] out of jail because I will not feel safe if [she is] out,” A.R. said in the memo. “With [her] in jail, I will be able to continue to feel safe and live a happy and successful life without fear of [her] hurting me or anyone I love.”
The youngest child, 9-year-old W.R., was five years old when his mother went to jail. He wrote that he would be scared if she got out and is worried she would take him away. W.R. stated that once his mother is gone, he will feel safer and be able to trust people more.
The children also shared how the loss of their father impacted their daily lives. A.R. noted that Eric Richins can no longer coach his teams, attend his games or be present for his birthdays. He wrote that his father will not be there to teach him how to drive or see him graduate.
According to the sentencing memo, A.R. also provided information that contradicted the defense’s version of events from the night of the murder. While Kouri Richins claimed she slept in a child’s bedroom that night, A.R. told prosecutors she did not.
A.R. said he and his brothers were sent to bed without a bath that evening, which he called unusual. He also noted that a television played loudly inside his parents’ bedroom.
The boy told prosecutors he tried to enter his parents’ room that night but his mother caught him and yelled at him. His younger brother, W.R., also tried to go to sleep in his parents’ bed but found the door locked. W.R. then went to sleep with A.R. instead.
W.R. told officials that the mention of his mother makes him feel hateful and ashamed because she took his father away. He expressed a desire to live without fear once the case concludes.
Kouri Richins was convicted of aggravated murder, attempted murder and financial crimes. She faces a sentence of 25 years to life or life without the possibility of parole.
The sentencing date of May 13 coincides with what would have been Eric Richins’ 44th birthday. Kouri Richins has denied any role in her husband’s death despite the jury’s verdict.
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’ Sons Plead: Keep Mom Locked Away for Life
The three boys say they fear for their safety if their mother is ever released from prison.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 14, 2026 5:00 pm ET
Kouri and Eric Richins and their three sons (via Facebook)
HEBER CITY, UT — The three sons of Kouri Richins have asked a Utah court to sentence their mother to life in prison, stating in a sentencing memo that they fear for their lives if she is released.
The request comes after a jury convicted Richins, 35, of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, by spiking his drink with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Prosecutors filed the memo containing the children’s statements ahead of a sentencing hearing scheduled for May 13.
The boys, ages nine, 11 and 13, described a persistent fear of their mother. The eldest son, 13-year-old C.R., wrote that he believes his mother would come after him and his brothers if she were freed.
“I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family. I think she would come and take us and not do good things to us, like hurt us,” said Kouri’s 13-year-old son C.R. in a sentencing memo filed by prosecutors and obtained by PEOPLE.
C.R. also noted in the memo that while he misses his father, he does not miss his mother or the way his life used to be. He described his father as a kind person who helped those in need.
The middle son, 11-year-old A.R., told officials he would not feel safe if his mother left jail. He stated that her imprisonment allows him to live a happy life without the fear of her hurting him or the people he loves.
“I don’t want [my mother] out of jail because I will not feel safe if [she is] out,” A.R. said in the memo. “With [her] in jail, I will be able to continue to feel safe and live a happy and successful life without fear of [her] hurting me or anyone I love.”
The youngest child, 9-year-old W.R., was five years old when his mother went to jail. He wrote that he would be scared if she got out and is worried she would take him away. W.R. stated that once his mother is gone, he will feel safer and be able to trust people more.
The children also shared how the loss of their father impacted their daily lives. A.R. noted that Eric Richins can no longer coach his teams, attend his games or be present for his birthdays. He wrote that his father will not be there to teach him how to drive or see him graduate.
According to the sentencing memo, A.R. also provided information that contradicted the defense’s version of events from the night of the murder. While Kouri Richins claimed she slept in a child’s bedroom that night, A.R. told prosecutors she did not.
A.R. said he and his brothers were sent to bed without a bath that evening, which he called unusual. He also noted that a television played loudly inside his parents’ bedroom.
The boy told prosecutors he tried to enter his parents’ room that night but his mother caught him and yelled at him. His younger brother, W.R., also tried to go to sleep in his parents’ bed but found the door locked. W.R. then went to sleep with A.R. instead.
W.R. told officials that the mention of his mother makes him feel hateful and ashamed because she took his father away. He expressed a desire to live without fear once the case concludes.
Kouri Richins was convicted of aggravated murder, attempted murder and financial crimes. She faces a sentence of 25 years to life or life without the possibility of parole.
The sentencing date of May 13 coincides with what would have been Eric Richins’ 44th birthday. Kouri Richins has denied any role in her husband’s death despite the jury’s verdict.
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’ Sons Plead: Keep Mom Locked Away for Life
The three boys say they fear for their safety if their mother is ever released from prison.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 14, 2026 5:00 pm ET
Kouri and Eric Richins and their three sons (via Facebook)
HEBER CITY, UT — The three sons of Kouri Richins have asked a Utah court to sentence their mother to life in prison, stating in a sentencing memo that they fear for their lives if she is released.
The request comes after a jury convicted Richins, 35, of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, by spiking his drink with a lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022. Prosecutors filed the memo containing the children’s statements ahead of a sentencing hearing scheduled for May 13.
The boys, ages nine, 11 and 13, described a persistent fear of their mother. The eldest son, 13-year-old C.R., wrote that he believes his mother would come after him and his brothers if she were freed.
“I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family. I think she would come and take us and not do good things to us, like hurt us,” said Kouri’s 13-year-old son C.R. in a sentencing memo filed by prosecutors and obtained by PEOPLE.
C.R. also noted in the memo that while he misses his father, he does not miss his mother or the way his life used to be. He described his father as a kind person who helped those in need.
The middle son, 11-year-old A.R., told officials he would not feel safe if his mother left jail. He stated that her imprisonment allows him to live a happy life without the fear of her hurting him or the people he loves.
“I don’t want [my mother] out of jail because I will not feel safe if [she is] out,” A.R. said in the memo. “With [her] in jail, I will be able to continue to feel safe and live a happy and successful life without fear of [her] hurting me or anyone I love.”
The youngest child, 9-year-old W.R., was five years old when his mother went to jail. He wrote that he would be scared if she got out and is worried she would take him away. W.R. stated that once his mother is gone, he will feel safer and be able to trust people more.
The children also shared how the loss of their father impacted their daily lives. A.R. noted that Eric Richins can no longer coach his teams, attend his games or be present for his birthdays. He wrote that his father will not be there to teach him how to drive or see him graduate.
According to the sentencing memo, A.R. also provided information that contradicted the defense’s version of events from the night of the murder. While Kouri Richins claimed she slept in a child’s bedroom that night, A.R. told prosecutors she did not.
A.R. said he and his brothers were sent to bed without a bath that evening, which he called unusual. He also noted that a television played loudly inside his parents’ bedroom.
The boy told prosecutors he tried to enter his parents’ room that night but his mother caught him and yelled at him. His younger brother, W.R., also tried to go to sleep in his parents’ bed but found the door locked. W.R. then went to sleep with A.R. instead.
W.R. told officials that the mention of his mother makes him feel hateful and ashamed because she took his father away. He expressed a desire to live without fear once the case concludes.
Kouri Richins was convicted of aggravated murder, attempted murder and financial crimes. She faces a sentence of 25 years to life or life without the possibility of parole.
The sentencing date of May 13 coincides with what would have been Eric Richins’ 44th birthday. Kouri Richins has denied any role in her husband’s death despite the jury’s verdict.
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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