UPDATE: 3/16/26 at 9:38 p.m.: Utah jurors have convicted children’s book author and mother of three, Kouri Richins, of murdering her husband with a fentanyl-laced cocktail. The verdict was reached in just three hours on Monday, March 16.
Richins was found guilty of first-degree aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, forgery, and insurance fraud related to the overdose death of her husband, Eric Richins, 39, on March 4, 2022, at their home in Kamas, Utah.
Richins, 35, showed little emotion as the first guilty verdict was announced.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that Richins poisoned her husband for financial benefit.
Original story:
The defense team for Kouri Richins, the children’s book author accused of murdering her husband, claims state investigators have harassed and intimidated potential witnesses.
On Sunday, January 25, Richins’ attorneys filed a motion requesting the release of all communications between the prosecution and any witnesses, as reported by KUTV.
“Last week, the defense team was notified by one of the State’s witnesses that she was being harassed by an investigator working with the prosecution, asking if there was anything we could do to protect her,” the document noted, according to the outlet.
The attorneys alleged that the witness shared text messages with lead detective Jeff O’Driscoll, in which he threatened her with a warrant for her arrest.
“Make your life easier and answer our calls so we can prep you on what you will be asked. Otherwise, the next time I knock on your door, I’ll have a warrant and a catch pole for the dog,” O’Driscoll allegedly wrote in the texts, as noted in the documents.
Defense lawyers argued that this was “blatant witness intimidation,” though prosecutors reportedly did not believe O’Driscoll acted improperly.
A second witness also alleged harassment by investigator Travis Hopper.
According to text messages with Hopper, the investigator urged the witness to cooperate. When the witness referred him to his original statement, Hopper was told to send further questions in writing.
The defense claimed, “Investigator Hopper then threatened to revoke previously granted immunity if the witness did not agree to discuss his testimony in person with the prosecution.”
The defense argued that Utah Code prohibits threats of harm, including “physical, emotional, or economic injury or damage.” They assert that threatening arrest for not testifying before trial constitutes “harm.”
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The attorneys also accused prosecutors of violating the Victim and Witness Rights during questioning.
The defense requested that the Court compel the prosecution to disclose all forms of digital communication with witnesses.
Prosecutors have not publicly addressed the filing but told KUTV they plan to respond privately with the court. “We will be responding non-publicly with the Court, as is appropriate this close to jury selection,” said Attorney Margaret Olson according to the outlet.
Richins, 35, stands accused of killing her husband, Eric Richins, by adding fentanyl to his drink in March 2022. She also faces charges of forgery, mortgage fraud, and insurance fraud for actions related to his death.
She gained local fame by publishing a children’s book titled Are You With Me?, which described her grieving process after her husband’s death.
Richins’ trial is set to begin in February. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges, as reported by ABC News.
