Topline: A Utah judge ordered Kouri Richins to repay more than $1.3 million in life insurance money after her conviction in the fentanyl poisoning death of her husband.
Published: September 1, 2026 7:04 am ET
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Kouri and Eric Richins (via Facebook)
PARK CITY, UT — Kouri Richins was ordered Friday to repay more than $1.3 million in life insurance proceeds after her conviction for killing her husband, Eric Richins, in a 2022 fentanyl poisoning.
According to an ABC4 report, Richins appeared virtually from prison for the restitution hearing, where her attorney said the defense was not contesting the amount but asked the court to pause payment while her appeal moves forward.
Third District Judge Richard Mrazik ordered Richins to pay $1,017,018.49 to Auto Owners Insurance and $352,562.61 to TruStage. He said Utah law required the debt to be sent to the Utah Office of State Debt Collection because Richins has been convicted and is incarcerated.
Prosecutors argued the insurance payouts were part of Richins’ motive for the killing and sought restitution tied to the money she collected as her husband’s beneficiary after his March 4, 2022 death. Trial testimony showed Richins, a former real estate agent, was carrying about $7.5 million in debt at the time, and jurors later convicted her of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, forgery and two counts of insurance fraud.
Mrazik sentenced Richins in May to life in prison without parole. After Eric Richins’ death, she also published a children’s book about grief, a detail that drew national attention as the case unfolded.
Richins filed her appeal in late May, and her attorney said she may continue challenging whether restitution can be enforced before that appeal is resolved. She also still faces a separate criminal case that includes mortgage fraud, money laundering, forgery, bad check, communications fraud and pattern of unlawful activity charges, with the next hearing set for Oct. 9.
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 Ordered to Pay $1.3 Million in Restitution, Seeks Stay Pending Appeal
A Utah judge ordered Kouri Richins to repay more than $1.3 million in life insurance money after her conviction in the fentanyl poisoning death of her husband.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: September 1, 2026 7:04 am ET
Kouri and Eric Richins (via Facebook)
PARK CITY, UT — Kouri Richins was ordered Friday to repay more than $1.3 million in life insurance proceeds after her conviction for killing her husband, Eric Richins, in a 2022 fentanyl poisoning.
According to an ABC4 report, Richins appeared virtually from prison for the restitution hearing, where her attorney said the defense was not contesting the amount but asked the court to pause payment while her appeal moves forward.
Third District Judge Richard Mrazik ordered Richins to pay $1,017,018.49 to Auto Owners Insurance and $352,562.61 to TruStage. He said Utah law required the debt to be sent to the Utah Office of State Debt Collection because Richins has been convicted and is incarcerated.
Prosecutors argued the insurance payouts were part of Richins’ motive for the killing and sought restitution tied to the money she collected as her husband’s beneficiary after his March 4, 2022 death. Trial testimony showed Richins, a former real estate agent, was carrying about $7.5 million in debt at the time, and jurors later convicted her of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, forgery and two counts of insurance fraud.
Mrazik sentenced Richins in May to life in prison without parole. After Eric Richins’ death, she also published a children’s book about grief, a detail that drew national attention as the case unfolded.
Richins filed her appeal in late May, and her attorney said she may continue challenging whether restitution can be enforced before that appeal is resolved. She also still faces a separate criminal case that includes mortgage fraud, money laundering, forgery, bad check, communications fraud and pattern of unlawful activity charges, with the next hearing set for Oct. 9.
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 Ordered to Pay $1.3 Million in Restitution, Seeks Stay Pending Appeal
A Utah judge ordered Kouri Richins to repay more than $1.3 million in life insurance money after her conviction in the fentanyl poisoning death of her husband.
By Aaron Stephensen
Published: September 1, 2026 7:04 am ET
Kouri and Eric Richins (via Facebook)
PARK CITY, UT — Kouri Richins was ordered Friday to repay more than $1.3 million in life insurance proceeds after her conviction for killing her husband, Eric Richins, in a 2022 fentanyl poisoning.
According to an ABC4 report, Richins appeared virtually from prison for the restitution hearing, where her attorney said the defense was not contesting the amount but asked the court to pause payment while her appeal moves forward.
Third District Judge Richard Mrazik ordered Richins to pay $1,017,018.49 to Auto Owners Insurance and $352,562.61 to TruStage. He said Utah law required the debt to be sent to the Utah Office of State Debt Collection because Richins has been convicted and is incarcerated.
Prosecutors argued the insurance payouts were part of Richins’ motive for the killing and sought restitution tied to the money she collected as her husband’s beneficiary after his March 4, 2022 death. Trial testimony showed Richins, a former real estate agent, was carrying about $7.5 million in debt at the time, and jurors later convicted her of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, forgery and two counts of insurance fraud.
Mrazik sentenced Richins in May to life in prison without parole. After Eric Richins’ death, she also published a children’s book about grief, a detail that drew national attention as the case unfolded.
Richins filed her appeal in late May, and her attorney said she may continue challenging whether restitution can be enforced before that appeal is resolved. She also still faces a separate criminal case that includes mortgage fraud, money laundering, forgery, bad check, communications fraud and pattern of unlawful activity charges, with the next hearing set for Oct. 9.
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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