Mum who wrote grief book for children 'threw party' day after allegedly murdering husband

A mother who has been charged with murdering her husband threw a party the day after his death, the authorities have said.

Eric Richins died at his family home Kamas, Utah after the emergency services were called by his wife, Kouri Richins, in March 2022.

She reportedly told the police they had just secured the closure on a home for her business earlier that day, and that she had made her husband a vodka drink to celebrate.

After checking in on their children in another room, she returned to the bedroom and found her husband 'cold to the touch'.

The medical examiner later discovered that Eric had five times the lethal dosage of the deadly drug fentanyl in his system at the time of his death.

Facebook/Kouri Richins

An 'unnamed acquaintance' reportedly told police they had supplied Kouri with fentanyl pills after the mother came to them looking for 'prescription pain medication'.

A friend of Eric's also alleged that 'he thought his wife was trying to poison him' after he Eric became 'very ill' another night after having dinner with his wife at home.

And on 8 May, Kouri was arrested and charged with one count of first-degree aggravated murder and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

The controlled substance in question is GHB, commonly known as the 'date rape' drug.

According to Law and Order, the arrest warrant accuses Kouri of 'intentionally or knowingly caus[ing] the death' of her husband 'by means of the administration of a poison or of any lethal substance or of any substance administered in a lethal amount, dosage, or quantity'.

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It's now been claimed that within a matter of hours of Eric's death, she held a party.

Referencing the affidavit for a search warrant, The Salt Lake Tribune reported: "The day after Eric's death, Kouri closed on the home, alone.

"She later invited her friends over for a large party at her home where she was drinking and celebrating."

Shortly after her husband's death, the 33-year-old wrote a children's' book called Are you with me? which delves into the topic of dealing with grief.

The Amazon description for the book reads: "A heartwarming and reassuring book that gently guides children through the difficult experience of losing a loved one.

"Written by a loving mother who personally faced this challenge, this book is designed to offer comfort and solace to young minds in a way that is both accessible and engaging."

Kouri Richins is yet to submit a plea to the charges.

Tyla has contacted Kouri Richins' attorney for comment.