Children’s grief book author and alleged murderer Kouri Richins slapped with 26 new charges

Children’s author Kouri Richins is facing a slew of new charges related to financial schemes linked to her husband’s death, as announced by Summit County prosecutors. The 33-year-old author allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities such as taking out high-interest loans, forging documents, and transferring money through shell businesses in the months leading up to her husband Eric Richins’ death from poisoning in 2022.

According to the prosecutors, Richins used a power of attorney to secure a $250,000 home equity line of credit on Eric’s premarital home without his knowledge. She then allegedly funneled the money into her real estate business, K. Richins Realty. The revelation of this secret line of credit in October 2020 created tension in the couple’s relationship, leading Eric to seek legal advice to protect his assets and children from potential financial abuse.

Despite Richins’ assurances that she would repay the loan, it remained unpaid at the time of Eric’s death. Court documents also reveal that Richins borrowed millions through hard money loans as her business struggled with existing debts and financial instability. By December 2021, she was on the brink of financial collapse, owing substantial amounts to lenders.

On the day of Eric’s death, Richins was scheduled to close on an unfinished $2.9 million mansion, further exacerbating her financial troubles. Prosecutors claim that she owed hard money lenders over $1.8 million on the day of Eric’s death, with the debt rising to nearly $5 million the day after.

Eric had taken steps to protect his assets before his death, including cutting Richins out of his will and changing his life insurance policy. Despite Richins’ attempts to name herself as the policy beneficiary, Eric reverted to naming his sister as the beneficiary. The battle over Eric Richins’ $3.6 million estate has since been ongoing between the two families.

In addition to the financial schemes, Richins is accused of stealing funds from her husband’s business, making unauthorized withdrawals from his bank accounts, and using his credit cards for personal expenses. She now faces multiple charges, including money laundering, mortgage fraud, communications fraud, and forgery.

Richins’ defense attorneys have criticized the timing of the new fraud charges, suggesting they may be a tactic to bolster the state’s murder case against her. Richins was charged with Eric’s murder in May 2022 after allegedly poisoning him with a fentanyl-laced drink at their home in Kamas. Her murder trial is scheduled to begin jury selection in February 2026, with the financial charges possibly addressed separately in another legal proceeding.