Topline: Prosecutors say the Utah woman targeted prosecutors, police and her husband’s family with false reports before receiving a life sentence.
Published: May 16, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Kouri Richins during sentencing on May 13 (via Pool/Getty)
Summit County, UT — Prosecutors revealed that while in jail, Kouri Richins orchestrated online attacks against investigators—actions that influenced a Utah judge’s sentencing decision.
Judge Richard Mrazik sentenced Richin to life without parole for the murder of her husband in 2022. He issued the sentence after a five-hour hearing in Summit County Court on May 13.
Mrazik also sentenced Richins to five years to life for attempted murder, one to 15 years for insurance fraud, and up to five years for felony forgery. The sentences will run consecutively.
Mrazik told Kouri during sentencing that she was “too dangerous to ever be free.” He noted the decision was for the sake of her three sons, who requested the harshest sentence.
In a sentencing memo obtained by PEOPLE, prosecutors detailed several actions Richins allegedly directed from jail. Prosecutors used these incidents to argue that Richins has an irredeemable character.
According to the memo, Richins had her family members post a fake gay dating profile of the lead detective online. She also directed family members to file unfounded bar complaints against the Summit County attorney and the chief prosecutor.
The memo states Richins targeted her late husband’s family. Richins filed false reports with the Department of Children and Family Services while her three sons were in the custody of her sister-in-law, Katie Richins.
Richins also hired counsel to seek criminal prosecution against Katie Richins. Additionally, she reported another sister-in-law to police for marijuana possession.
According to prosecutors, Richins made an unfounded complaint to the FBI about her husband’s business partner.
She also had family members pursue federal firearms charges against her father-in-law, Gene Richins, for removing firearms from the home for safekeeping.
Prosecutors proved at trial that Richins killed her husband, Eric Richins, for his money. Eric Richins died March 4, 2022. An autopsy later determined he died from an overdose of fentanyl. They said she believed she would inherit his multimillion-dollar estate and about $2 million in life insurance.
Richins collected $1.39 million in insurance payouts after his death. Prosecutors are now asking the court to order her to pay restitution.
Authorities arrested Richins 14 months after his death. A probable cause affidavit accused Richins of spiking her husband’s drink with a lethal dose of fentanyl. This occurred less than three weeks after she botched an initial attempt to kill him on Valentine’s Day.
Defense attorneys for Richins announced they plan to file an appeal.
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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Court Memo Details Kouri Richins’ Jailhouse Smear Campaigns Before Sentencing
Prosecutors say the Utah woman targeted prosecutors, police and her husband’s family with false reports before receiving a life sentence.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 16, 2026 6:00 am ET
Kouri Richins during sentencing on May 13 (via Pool/Getty)
Summit County, UT — Prosecutors revealed that while in jail, Kouri Richins orchestrated online attacks against investigators—actions that influenced a Utah judge’s sentencing decision.
Judge Richard Mrazik sentenced Richin to life without parole for the murder of her husband in 2022. He issued the sentence after a five-hour hearing in Summit County Court on May 13.
Mrazik also sentenced Richins to five years to life for attempted murder, one to 15 years for insurance fraud, and up to five years for felony forgery. The sentences will run consecutively.
Mrazik told Kouri during sentencing that she was “too dangerous to ever be free.” He noted the decision was for the sake of her three sons, who requested the harshest sentence.
In a sentencing memo obtained by PEOPLE, prosecutors detailed several actions Richins allegedly directed from jail. Prosecutors used these incidents to argue that Richins has an irredeemable character.
According to the memo, Richins had her family members post a fake gay dating profile of the lead detective online. She also directed family members to file unfounded bar complaints against the Summit County attorney and the chief prosecutor.
The memo states Richins targeted her late husband’s family. Richins filed false reports with the Department of Children and Family Services while her three sons were in the custody of her sister-in-law, Katie Richins.
Richins also hired counsel to seek criminal prosecution against Katie Richins. Additionally, she reported another sister-in-law to police for marijuana possession.
According to prosecutors, Richins made an unfounded complaint to the FBI about her husband’s business partner.
She also had family members pursue federal firearms charges against her father-in-law, Gene Richins, for removing firearms from the home for safekeeping.
Prosecutors proved at trial that Richins killed her husband, Eric Richins, for his money. Eric Richins died March 4, 2022. An autopsy later determined he died from an overdose of fentanyl. They said she believed she would inherit his multimillion-dollar estate and about $2 million in life insurance.
Richins collected $1.39 million in insurance payouts after his death. Prosecutors are now asking the court to order her to pay restitution.
Authorities arrested Richins 14 months after his death. A probable cause affidavit accused Richins of spiking her husband’s drink with a lethal dose of fentanyl. This occurred less than three weeks after she botched an initial attempt to kill him on Valentine’s Day.
Defense attorneys for Richins announced they plan to file an appeal.
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
Court Memo Details Kouri Richins’ Jailhouse Smear Campaigns Before Sentencing
Prosecutors say the Utah woman targeted prosecutors, police and her husband’s family with false reports before receiving a life sentence.
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 16, 2026 6:00 am ET
Kouri Richins during sentencing on May 13 (via Pool/Getty)
Summit County, UT — Prosecutors revealed that while in jail, Kouri Richins orchestrated online attacks against investigators—actions that influenced a Utah judge’s sentencing decision.
Judge Richard Mrazik sentenced Richin to life without parole for the murder of her husband in 2022. He issued the sentence after a five-hour hearing in Summit County Court on May 13.
Mrazik also sentenced Richins to five years to life for attempted murder, one to 15 years for insurance fraud, and up to five years for felony forgery. The sentences will run consecutively.
Mrazik told Kouri during sentencing that she was “too dangerous to ever be free.” He noted the decision was for the sake of her three sons, who requested the harshest sentence.
In a sentencing memo obtained by PEOPLE, prosecutors detailed several actions Richins allegedly directed from jail. Prosecutors used these incidents to argue that Richins has an irredeemable character.
According to the memo, Richins had her family members post a fake gay dating profile of the lead detective online. She also directed family members to file unfounded bar complaints against the Summit County attorney and the chief prosecutor.
The memo states Richins targeted her late husband’s family. Richins filed false reports with the Department of Children and Family Services while her three sons were in the custody of her sister-in-law, Katie Richins.
Richins also hired counsel to seek criminal prosecution against Katie Richins. Additionally, she reported another sister-in-law to police for marijuana possession.
According to prosecutors, Richins made an unfounded complaint to the FBI about her husband’s business partner.
She also had family members pursue federal firearms charges against her father-in-law, Gene Richins, for removing firearms from the home for safekeeping.
Prosecutors proved at trial that Richins killed her husband, Eric Richins, for his money. Eric Richins died March 4, 2022. An autopsy later determined he died from an overdose of fentanyl. They said she believed she would inherit his multimillion-dollar estate and about $2 million in life insurance.
Richins collected $1.39 million in insurance payouts after his death. Prosecutors are now asking the court to order her to pay restitution.
Authorities arrested Richins 14 months after his death. A probable cause affidavit accused Richins of spiking her husband’s drink with a lethal dose of fentanyl. This occurred less than three weeks after she botched an initial attempt to kill him on Valentine’s Day.
Defense attorneys for Richins announced they plan to file an appeal.
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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