Kouri Richins Sentenced To Life Without Parole For Eric Richins’ Fentanyl-Laced Moscow Mule Murder

Conviction and sentencing

Kouri Richins, 35, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the March 2022 death of her husband, Eric Richins, after a jury convicted her in March of aggravated murder and other counts. In Park City, Utah, Judge Richard Mrazik said, "A person convicted of committing that sequence of acts in that way and for that reason, and who causes the absolute tragedy that has befallen Eric Richins' sons and family" is simply too dangerous to ever be free. Prosecutors said Richins laced her husband’s Moscow Mule cocktail with fentanyl, and an autopsy determined Eric Richins died from a fentanyl overdose.

Richins was arrested on May 8, 2023, after calling 911 on March 4, 2022 to report her husband was unresponsive, and she did not testify during her trial. The sentencing came on what would have been Eric Richins’ 44th birthday, and Richins’ defense attorney Wendy Lewis said, "She maintains her innocence and has every right to do so."

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Evidence and courtroom voices

At trial, prosecutors presented evidence including exchanges of messages between Richins and her ex-amant Robert Josh Grossman, and the case included a search warrant uncovering communication about selling hydrocodone and fentanyl. The 20 Min account says Richins was accused of poisoning the Moscow Mule with "une dose de fentanyl cinq fois supérieure à la dose mortelle," and it reports the verdict came after three hours of jury deliberation. CBS News reported that Judge Richard Mrazik explained the sentence by citing that Richins "failed in her first effort" and then "doubling down" before completing the act through the administration of poison.

In court, Richins’ sons and other family members delivered victim impact statements describing fear and trauma, and one 13-year-old son said, "I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family." Richins maintained her innocence and, according to CBS News, said, "As much as you've been influenced into thinking that I'm a murderer, that is completely wrong."

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Appeals and what’s at risk

After Judge Richard Mrazik sentenced Richins to life without parole, her attorneys said they intended to file an appeal and sought an extension of the typical 14-day deadline to file for a new trial.

Gephardt Daily reported that Mrazik said he considered the issue of possible parole carefully, but concluded, "simply too dangerous to ever be free," while also describing the sequence of an earlier attempt and then "doubling down" to try again.

The Salt Lake Tribune said Richins was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and that the sentencing fell on what would’ve been Eric Richins’ 44th birthday, with jurors having convicted her after a trial that started on Feb. 23.

NBC News reported that Richins told her sons, "Be like your dad," and she also said she has been unable to contact them since early 2024.

KSL reported Deputy Summit County attorney Brad Bloodworth saying a person like Richins "should never again lurk among the rest of us," and it quoted the oldest son saying, "I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family."

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