Dad 'poisoned by wife' was 'very much in love with her' before he was killed

17 May 2023 , 15:18

1023     0

Eric Richins was allegedly murdered by his wife, Kouri Richins, by poisoning with fentanyl.

A Utah dad who was allegedly 'poisoned' by his wife was "very much in love" with her despite his suspicions she was trying to kill him, according to the family's lawyer.

Kouri Richins , 33, was arrested earlier this month over the murder of her husband Eric Richins by mixing a lethal dose of fentanyl into a Moscow mule cocktail in March 2022.

Richins, a children's book author, is accused of poisoning Eric at their home in Kamas, outside of Park City in Utah, while their three young sons were sleeping.

Attorney Greg Skordas, who is acting as a spokesperson for the Richins family, said Eric was a devoted father and husband.

(Facebook)

“He was very much in love with his wife, even though it became fairly obvious that she was trying to undermine him professionally and … he at least suspected that she was trying to kill him at one point,” Mr Skordas told the Salt Lake Tribune.

Man in 30s dies after being stabbed in park sparking police probe

He added: "He lived for those boys.

"I believe he would have stayed in a less-than-desirable relationship if it meant he could do right by them."

Eric Richins with wife Kouri and their three children (Facebook)

According to a statement from Eric Richins' family obtained by Fox News, the deceased had told some members of the family that he thought his wife was trying to hurt him.

After her husband passed, and before she was charged with his murder, Kouri wrote a book about children coping with grief, which came out a year after his death, in March 2023.

(Facebook)

According to a statement from Eric Richins' family, Eric told them: "If something happens to me, check out Kouri. I think she’s trying to kill me."

A warrant said that the night prosecutors allege that Kouri Richins killed her husband, she served her husband a cocktail to celebrate a home sale.

Kouri owns a real estate firm called K Richins Realty LLC.

She has been charged with one first-degree felony count of aggravated murder, as well as three second-degree felony counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Kouri remains in the custody of Summit County Sheriff's Deputies awaiting her next court appearance which is due to take place on May 18 for a bail hearing and arraignment.

Lucy Williamson