Summit County, Utah — In a case that has drawn national attention for its deeply unsettling blend of tragedy, deception, and alleged criminal behavior, Kouri Richins, the Utah mother accused of poisoning her husband with a fentanyl-laced cocktail, is now facing a slew of new felony charges related to mortgage fraud, money laundering, forgery, and financial deception.
The latest charges come as investigators continue to uncover what prosecutors describe as a multi-year pattern of criminal activity that began well before her husband’s death and continued afterward — even as she authored and published a children’s book on grief, purportedly to help her children cope with the loss of their father, Eric Richins.
New Charges Filed Against Kouri Richins
According to court documents filed this week, Kouri Richins now faces a total of 26 additional felony charges, including:
- 5 counts of Second-Degree Felony Mortgage Fraud
- 7 counts of Second-Degree Felony Money Laundering
- 1 count of Second-Degree Felony Communications Fraud
- 1 count of Pattern of Unlawful Activity (Second-Degree Felony)
- 5 counts of Third-Degree Felony Forgery
- 7 counts of Third-Degree Felony Issuing a Bad Check
These charges are in addition to existing murder charges filed against Richins in 2023 after toxicology reports revealed that her husband died from a lethal dose of fentanyl, which investigators say was administered in a cocktail she prepared for him. Eric Richins was found dead in the couple’s bedroom on March 4, 2022.
A Marriage Marked by Business, Deception, and a Secret Estate Plan
Kouri and Eric Richins married in 2013, with Eric owning a successful stone masonry business at the time. The couple signed a prenuptial agreement stipulating that neither would claim ownership of any businesses the other established during the marriage — except in the event of death, in which case Kouri would inherit Eric’s business assets.
In 2019, Kouri launched a real estate business focused on house flipping. But prosecutors now allege that this was the beginning of a dark turn. According to the new criminal complaint, Kouri began illegally accessing and stealing funds from her husband’s business accounts in 2019, transferring money without his knowledge.
Eric reportedly discovered the financial misconduct in 2020, and, alarmed by the betrayal, sought to meet with an estate planning attorney to protect his assets. Documents suggest Eric intended to create a living trust that would have placed his sister in control of his estate upon his death — a plan Kouri was allegedly unaware of.
Elaborate Financial Deception Uncovered
The financial crimes now alleged against Kouri Richins paint a picture of calculated and sustained deception. Court filings reveal that in July 2021, she began submitting falsified mortgage applications, using altered documents that included bank account information tied to Eric’s business. Between August and December 2021, she allegedly issued multiple bad checks and laundered money between personal and business accounts to mask the financial irregularities.
One of the most troubling allegations involves a close friend, who gave Kouri money for what they believed were down payments on real estate properties. Prosecutors say that instead of applying those funds appropriately, Richins used them to pay off unrelated debts, deceiving someone who had placed trust in her.
Public Backlash and National Spotlight
The disturbing nature of the allegations — particularly the image of a grieving widow who authored a children’s book on loss after allegedly orchestrating her husband’s death — has captivated and horrified the public in equal measure.
Richins published “Are You With Me?” in 2023, describing it as a resource for children coping with grief. In interviews and promotional material, she appeared as a mother seeking healing and resilience for her family. That image has since crumbled under the weight of the charges now leveled against her.
Legal Consequences Mount
The new charges add to the already serious legal battle Kouri Richins is facing, including a first-degree aggravated murder charge. If convicted of all charges, she could face decades in prison, including multiple mandatory minimums tied to second-degree felonies. Prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges, as investigators continue to sift through records, financial transactions, and witness testimony.
The Summit County District Attorney’s Office has emphasized that the investigation remains active and that further evidence may emerge in both the homicide and fraud cases. Meanwhile, Kouri remains in custody, with court dates scheduled in the coming weeks.
Anyone with relevant information about Kouri Richins or her business dealings is urged to contact local law enforcement.
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