Kouri Richins Trial: Autopsy Confirms Fentanyl—But Can Prosecutors Prove She Did It?
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
True Crime Today
3.3 • 907 Ratings
🗓️ 25 February 2026
⏱️ 24 minutes
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Summary
The cause of death isn't in dispute. Eric Richins died of a fentanyl overdose—several times the lethal amount. Dr. Pamela Sue Ulmer confirmed it on the stand. No evidence of injury. No natural causes.
The question is whether prosecutors can prove Kouri Richins put it there.
Day 2 of this Utah murder trial featured first responders, medical examiners, and a 3D virtual walkthrough of the crime scene. But the defense used every witness to highlight what investigators didn't do. Deputy Vincent Nguyen never entered the kitchen. An empty hydrocodone bottle wasn't bagged. Glassware in the sink went through the dishwasher before anyone preserved it.
Prosecutors say Kouri was $4.5 million in debt, texting a boyfriend about their future, and allegedly bought fentanyl from her housekeeper Carmen Lauber. They say she tried to poison Eric on Valentine's Day 2022 and succeeded two weeks later. After his death, she wrote a children's book about grief and went on a media tour.
Defense attorney Kathy Nester told the jury investigators searched the house as recently as two weeks ago. Four years later. Still looking. Her argument: if the case is airtight, why?
Both things can be true. The evidence looks damning. The investigation has gaps. Reasonable doubt lives in those gaps.
Kouri Richins is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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| 1:11.8 | This is Hidden Killers with Tony Brewski. Here now, Tony Brucey. |
| 1:18.7 | Prosecution says Cory Richens was $4.5 million in debt. That she had a boyfriend. She was texting about leaving her husband. |
| 1:25.8 | That she allegedly bought fentanyl from her housekeeper, |
| 1:30.0 | and when the first batch didn't do the job, |
| 1:31.9 | she asked for something stronger. |
... |
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