Moscow Mule Murder Trial Explodes

A children’s book author allegedly poisoned her husband with fentanyl in a Moscow Mule, then exploited her own kids’ grief by publishing a book about loss—exposing the dark side of family betrayal and financial greed.

Story Snapshot

Prosecutors claim Kouri Richins laced husband Eric’s cocktail with a lethal fentanyl dose on March 4, 2022, after a prior attempt, driven by $4.5 million in debt and secret $2 million life insurance policies.
Richins self-published “Are You With Me?” months later, promoting it amid suspicions it masked her calculated murder for his $4 million estate and affair partner’s future.
Trial opened February 24, 2026, in Summit County, Utah, with crowds lining up; expected to end March 26 amid debates over missing fentanyl evidence.
Defense counters with Eric’s opioid dependency and witness credibility issues, highlighting prosecution gaps like no drugs found in the home.
Case spotlights risks to families from hidden debts, secret policies, and opioid crises eroding traditional American households.

Trial Opens with Shocking Poisoning Allegations

Summit County prosecutors launched opening statements on February 24, 2026, accusing Kouri Richins of murdering her husband Eric by spiking his Moscow Mule with five times a lethal fentanyl dose. This followed an alleged Valentine’s Day 2022 attempt via a laced sandwich that left Eric with hives and unconscious. Richins called 911 early March 4, 2022, reporting he stopped breathing. The high-profile case drew dozens camping outside the Park City-area courthouse, reflecting public outrage over alleged family destruction for greed.

Financial Motive and Secret Life Insurance Policies

Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth detailed Richins’ $4.5 million debt, including a negative bank balance and $1.8 million owed to lenders plus creditor lawsuits. She secretly took out nearly $2 million in life insurance on Eric years earlier. The night before his death, they argued over a $2 million mansion flip deal, which she later claimed they celebrated. Prosecutors tie this to her affair with Robert Josh Grossman, with texts revealing dreams of divorcing Eric, claiming millions, and marrying Grossman. Such deception undermines family trust central to conservative values.

Grief Book Raises Eyebrows as Cover-Up Claim

Months after Eric’s death, Richins self-published “Are You With Me?”, a children’s book on grief she promoted on local TV and radio. Prosecutors call it an elaborate cover-up to craft a sympathetic image while pursuing financial gain from his estate she wrongly thought exceeded $4 million. The irony of profiting from her kids’ loss—now trial subjects—highlights ethical lapses in publishing and questions vetting for authors facing murder charges. This exploits tragedy, eroding authenticity in family-oriented literature.

Defense Challenges Evidence and Witness Credibility

Richins’ defense team disputes the fentanyl narrative, noting housekeeper Carmen Lauber’s dealer was jailed and detoxing during claimed sales, later recanting to say he sold only OxyContin. No fentanyl appeared in Richins’ home despite multiple alleged attempts, a key prosecution gap. They present Eric as painkiller-dependent who asked Kouri for opioids, suggesting accidental overdose over murder. Kouri’s mother, Lisa Darden, insists her daughter is innocent, claiming anyone who knows her sees the accusations as impossible.

Impacts on Family, Justice, and Insurance Norms

The trial strains Summit County courts with security needs amid high interest. Richins’ children face ongoing scrutiny after losing their father. Long-term, conviction could set precedents using books as guilt evidence and spotlight insurance fraud via secret policies. It prompts industry reviews of spousal coverage without consent, reinforcing needs for transparency to protect American families from hidden financial schemes and opioid vulnerabilities.