A Utah mother is charged in her husband’s loss of life. Did she poison him with a cocktail?

This story initially aired on Feb. 24, 2024. It was up to date on March 1, 2025.

On March 4, 2022, Kouri Richins says she discovered her husband, Eric Richins, unresponsive of their mattress. First responders tried to save lots of him, but it surely was too late for the daddy of three. Weeks later, police stated Richins’ loss of life was brought on by an overdose of fentanyl. The grieving widow from Utah was arrested and charged with homicide shortly after she wrote a youngsters’s ebook to assist their children deal with grief.

In her first primetime interview, Kouri Richins’ mom, Lisa Darden, tells “48 Hours” contributor and “The Speak” co-host Natalie Morales that hours earlier than Eric Richins was discovered unresponsive, the couple was celebrating a brand new house-flipping deal Kouri was engaged on. Kouri Richins informed investigators she had made her husband a Moscow mule that evening. However one thing did not sit proper when the health worker dominated Eric Richins died from a deadly dose of fentanyl,in response to his household’s spokesman, Greg Skordas.

“He wasn’t an opioid consumer … This does not odor proper,” says Skordas.

Kouri Richins was later arrested and charged with homicide. Prosecutors allege she gave Eric Richins a deadly dose of fentanyl on the evening of his loss of life. Eric’s household suspects she positioned the fentanyl in that Moscow mule.

“He informed his household, ‘If I die, you want to check out her as a result of I feel she’s attempting to kill me,'”  Skordas tells Morales.

Kouri Richins maintains she’s harmless. Her lawyer, Skye Lazaro, says prosecutors, “must show that she obtained medication and gave them to her husband … And except they’ll join these dots, they’re gonna have a tough time proving homicide on this case.”

A UTAH COUPLE’S CELEBRATION ENDS IN TRAGEDY

Within the early morning hours of March 4, 2022, Lisa Darden was making an attempt to console her daughter, 31-year-old Kouri Richins.

Lisa Darden: She was unfold out on the ground … simply sobbing.

Kouri had simply realized from emergency personnel that her husband Eric was lifeless.

Lisa Darden: She was tore up.

Her brothers Ronney and DJ had been additionally there.

Ronney Darden: She is an entire wreck.

DJ: I simply began crying.

In accordance with Lisa, that evening Kouri had poured Eric a drink to rejoice a brand new alternative at her actual property enterprise — the acquisition of a mansion.

Lisa Darden: She informed me she made him a Moscow mule.

That is a drink made with vodka and ginger beer.

Lisa Darden: She stated they went to mattress about 9, 9:15, she went and laid with Ash. … Ashton, the 9-year-old has all the time had main nightmares. … And when she went again to get in her mattress, he was chilly. … she went to push on him, and he did not reply.

It was after 3 a.m., and Lisa says Kouri instantly known as 911 and on the dispatcher’s directions, carried out CPR. When first responders arrived they began engaged on Eric – but it surely was too late.

Ronney Darden: It is simply unbelievable. You are — you are in shock that one thing like that, , might occur.

It was these first responders who initially suspected Eric had died of an aneurism. The daddy of three younger sons was simply 39.

Natalie Morales: How had been the boys? Did the boys know what was taking place?

Lisa Darden: They knew one thing was taking place and … they may see the ambulances and cops coming in, very distraught.

Ronney Darden: All of them simply sat there … on the sofa and simply cried collectively.

The unhappy scene was a far cry from the blissful household they as soon as had been.

Kouri and Eric met in 2009 at a neighborhood House Depot. Again then Kouri was a cashier. Eric labored in building and was a frequent buyer.

Ronney Darden: I heard that he needed her quantity for a very long time, is form of afraid to go get it. So, he needed to — have a good friend run in and go get it from her.

Eric requested her out, they usually hit it off.

Natalie Morales: When Kouri stated I am courting this man, what did you suppose?

DJ: Uh, Kouri was scared of me assembly him.

Natalie Morales: Oh, actually?

DJ: Yeah.

Natalie Morales: Why?

DJ: As a result of I am the massive brother and —

Natalie Morales: Powerful.

DJ: Yeah. Yeah.

However DJ and Ronney say Eric match proper in.

Ronney Darden: I assumed he was a fantastic man.

In 2013, Kouri and Eric acquired married and had the boys – first Carter, then Ashton, and eventually, Weston. Lisa says fatherhood got here simply to Eric.

Lisa Darden: (He) taught these boys a lot … They idolized their father, and he idolized the boys as effectively.

Kouri’s household acquired to know the Richins, together with Eric’s two sisters Katie and Amy.

Ronney Darden: They’d come up, uh, for birthdays right here and there. … We’re all very pleasant.

Ultimately Eric began a stone masonry enterprise and Kouri began her personal actual property firm – shopping for homes, fixing them up, and promoting them for revenue. Greg Corridor was her advertising director and good good friend.

Greg Corridor: Kouri had one thing that lots of people do not. A number of instances you discover a person that’s clever, however no frequent sense or frequent sense and no intelligence. She had each. … She was an excellent younger girl.

Natalie Morales: What number of homes would she have on common that she was engaged on or attempting to flip

Lisa Darden: At one time?

Natalie Morales: Yeah.

Lisa Darden: I might say on common three.

Natalie Morales: So it was form of a relentless rotation —

Lisa Darden: Sure.

Natalie Morales: — of shopping for a house, fixing it up, promoting it?

Lisa Darden: Sure.

And Eric’s enterprise continued to flourish.

Lisa Darden: They each lived very effectively, they usually each purchased and spent what they needed.

Of their spare time, Eric cherished to hunt, and collectively they traveled the world.

Natalie Morales: It appears like on the floor, Eric and Kouri appear to have all of it. Would you say that was so Lisa?

Lisa Darden: I might say that, sure.

Greg Skordas: I do not know that I may even start to overstate how shut this household was … this was an enormous loss

Greg Skordas is the spokesman for Eric’s household.

Greg Skordas: He was this lovely son and — and brother … And to have that taken away from you, I — I am unable to think about a lot worse than that.

Not lengthy after Eric’s funeral, an post-mortem revealed the reason for his loss of life. It wasn’t an aneurism — it was a deadly dose of fentanyl.

Greg Skordas: Fentanyl is many, many instances stronger than oxys, and the opposite ache drugs that we usually use. It is a very harmful drug.

However how did fentanyl get into Eric’s system? Kouri’s household believes his leisure drug use might be responsible. Almost every single day, they are saying, Eric would take a gummy with THC – the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

Ronney Darden: It was all the time simply — simply to calm down on the finish of the day.

And in response to Ronney, Eric didn’t all the time get the gummies from respected sources.

Ronney Darden: Nearly each journey that I had been on with him, he’d purchase simply from somebody off the road.

Lisa says Eric additionally generally took ache drugs.

Lisa Darden: Hey, do you may have any ache drugs? Hey, are you able to name and get — or hook me up?

Greg Skordas: He definitely wasn’t an opioid or an unlawful drug consumer.

Kouri’s household thinks Eric had taken one thing he did not know was laced with fentanyl, and that his loss of life was a tragic accident. Eric’s household strongly disputes this declare.

Greg Skordas: He did not die of a self-inflicted drug overdose.

Eric’s household questioned if Kouri might have been concerned.

Greg Skordas: They stated … This does not odor proper. … No query the household thought that proper from the start.

KOURI RICHINS CHARGED IN HER HUSBAND’S DEATH

Within the months following her husband’s tragic passing, Kouri Richins struggled to search out her footing on her personal and to navigate life as a single mother.

Ronney Darden: Kouri was nonetheless utterly distraught. … even now, she’s by no means had time to … grieve. … she’s doing her greatest to maneuver on, she did not know of a method of doing that.

Kouri’s brother Ronney says it was additionally onerous for the {couples}’ three younger sons.

Ronney Darden: The boys, it is so onerous for them they lashed out somewhat bit as a result of they could not fairly perceive what was occurring. … they wanted some assist and Kouri wanted some assist.

Ultimately Kouri discovered a option to flip her grief into motion.

In March 2023, one yr after Eric’s loss of life, Kouri got here up with the concept to write down that youngsters’s ebook about dealing with loss, ” Are You With Me?” She promoted it on a neighborhood TV present, “Good Issues Utah.”

KOURI RICHINS | “Good Issues Utah”: I simply needed some story to learn to my children at evening … And so, , I used to be like, let’s simply write one.

The self-published ebook follows the story of a kid who misplaced his father however is reminded his presence nonetheless exists throughout.

Within the ebook, Eric is portrayed as an angel who’s all the time shut by. “Sure, I’m with you on Christmas,” Kouri writes, “You possibly can’t see my smile but it surely’s there. I am right here, and we’re collectively.”

KOURI RICHINS | “Good Issues Utah”: Like dad remains to be right here, it is simply another way.

Kouri’s mom, Lisa, says writing the ebook was therapeutic.

Lisa Darden: I feel the ebook was a fantastic factor.

Natalie Morales: It helped them.

Lisa Darden: It helped all of them.

Her household says it lastly appeared as if Kouri and the boys would have the ability to transfer ahead.

Ronney Darden: It appeared to make … the boys actually blissful.

Whereas the household was working to get again on observe, police had been investigating Eric’s loss of life. And simply weeks after Kouri’s look on TV to advertise her ebook —

KUTV NEWS REPORT: New at 10. This has been a talker all day right this moment … a Summit County girl who wrote a youngsters’s ebook about dealing with grief following her husband’s loss of life … now accused of being the one that really killed him.

On Could 8, 2023, Kouri, the grieving spouse, was now the prime suspect in her husband’s loss of life.

Natalie Morales: It’s essential to have been in a panic

Lisa Darden: I used to be shocked. … She will’t be arrested.

Kouri was charged with aggravated homicide and brought into custody. Courtroom paperwork allege she “dedicated murder” by the “administration of a poison.”

Greg Skordas, the spokesman for Eric’s household, suspects Kouri put a deadly dose of fentanyl within the drink she made Eric that evening: the Moscow mule.

Greg Skordas: The dosage that he was provided that evening was of such a excessive degree that no individual might have survived it.

Skye Lazaro was her lawyer on the time.

Natalie Morales: Did police ever check the glass that she gave Eric this cocktail in?

Skye Lazaro: They seized quite a lot of gadgets from the house, uh, and there was no fentanyl that was discovered on any glassware.

Kouri’s household says they struggled to make sense of the fees. Kouri denies any involvement in her husband’s loss of life.

Lisa Darden: For anyone who is aware of Kouri simply is aware of … She couldn’t have completed this. … She’d by no means do that.

Lisa says her daughter and son-in-law had a fantastic relationship.

Lisa Darden: No one’s good, however they’re fairly shut.

And like many {couples} which have disagreements, they had been in a position to overcome their variations.

Lisa Darden: He did not need Kouri to work. He needed her to be a stay-at-home mother and he or she’s very unbiased and that wasn’t going to occur.

One other concern, says Kouri’s brother Ronney, was the period of time Eric spent away on looking journeys — generally 4 or 5 months a yr.

Ronney Darden: It simply form of irked her. … as a result of that … his greatest ardour in life is looking, and he or she would possibly need him dwelling somewhat bit extra. And so, , they may get in a struggle about that.

After which, in response to Kouri’s mom Lisa, there was alleged infidelity on Eric’s half. She says she heard about it first from Kouri, after which from Eric.

Lisa Darden: It was a textual content about belief, how I trusted him as a son-in-law, as a father, as a husband. And the way might he do that?

Kouri’s household says the couple went to counseling, decided to work by way of their points. Skordas, who denies Eric ever cheated on Kouri, says Eric had a distinct purpose for desirous to make his marriage work.

Greg Skordas: He was going to do no matter he might to make it work as a result of he — he lived for these boys. He would have completed something for these boys. … let’s – let’s go to counseling. Let’s attempt to maintain the household collectively.

Skordas says at one level Eric had thought-about divorce, however in the end determined towards it. He says to guard the boys in case the connection did not work out, Eric put his property right into a secret belief — with out telling Kouri — and named his sister Katie in cost. However within the months main as much as Eric’s loss of life, Ronney says the couple appeared higher than ever.

Natalie Morales: How had been they doing as a pair, as a household?

Ronney Darden: Yeah, improbable. They had been, um, most likely top-of-the-line spots I’ve ever, seen them in in fairly a while. … everyone seems to be having enjoyable, laughing, joking. , it is — it appeared actually nice to me.

So why would Kouri need Eric lifeless? Courtroom paperwork allege Kouri was having an affair and “deliberate a future along with her paramour.” Together with that, a life insurance coverage payout might need been a motive. Skordas says Eric’s household agrees.

Greg Skordas: That is cold-hearted greed.

On the time of Eric’s loss of life there have been “not less than six life insurance coverage insurance policies” on him, totaling almost $3 million. Courtroom paperwork allege that in January 2022, two months earlier than Eric died, Kouri “solid Eric signature” to get one more coverage, price an extra $100,000. Kouri can be accused in courtroom paperwork of stealing from Eric’s private accounts and “misappropriating monies distributed from Eric Richins’ enterprise” courting again years.

In accordance with Skordas, Kouri did not simply need the cash, she desperately wanted it. Courtroom paperwork allege her home flipping enterprise was “drowning in almost two million {dollars} of debt.”

Greg Skordas: She was in method over her head. … She wanted some cash in a rush. … a big amount of cash.

Skordas says a premarital settlement stipulated Kouri had given up declare to Eric’s enterprise property “besides that if Husband ought to die previous to Spouse whereas the 2 are lawfully married.” 

Greg Skordas: He was price way more to her lifeless than divorced. … She felt … that there was simple cash and quick cash to be made by not having her husband round anymore.

Kouri’s lawyer Skye Lazaro strongly disputes any allegations her consumer solid Eric’s signature, mishandled funds or stole from Eric. As for the declare Kouri was in debt and wanted the cash, she says that is merely not true.

Skye Lazaro: She was within the enterprise of flipping homes … that is what they did.

Lazaro says taking up debt from traces of credit score was a part of how the enterprise of flipping homes labored, and the cash can be paid again when a house bought.

Skye Lazaro: It isn’t as if she had all these typical loans that she owed folks cash on it. … certain, it appears like a big quantity. However … We’re speaking about enterprise transactions with individuals who she … did enterprise with.

Lisa Darden: Eric and Kouri sat down each month and did the payments collectively. Always, Eric knew what was getting in and what was popping out.

Lisa says Eric not solely knew concerning the funds – however he was additionally very supportive of Kouri’s new enterprise alternatives – like the acquisition of the mansion they had been celebrating the evening he died.

Lisa Darden: Eric saying, “Let’s have a shot. Come on, let’s rejoice Kouri.”

It was that evening, Skordas says, Eric’s household believes Kouri gave him the Moscow mule laced with fentanyl. And, he says, Eric’s household believes it wasn’t the primary time Kouri had tried to poison her husband.

Greg Skordas: The time he died wasn’t the primary time we believed that she tried to kill him.

ERIC RICHINS’ FAMILY CLAIMS KOURI TRIED TO POISON ERIC BEFORE

Simply outdoors Salt Lake Metropolis, within the shadow of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains — dwelling to famed ski resorts together with Park Metropolis — is the property that Kouri Richins was planning on flipping. The deal she and Eric had been celebrating the evening he died, says her lawyer, Skye Lazaro.

Skye Lazaro: It is a decently good dimension dwelling.

Lazaro confirmed “48 Hours” the almost 10-acre property.

Natalie Morales: The place are we? Give us a way of why that is important actual property.

Skye Lazaro: So that is the Heber Valley. Uh, proper over the hill is Park Metropolis … all the key ski areas. Uh, after which to the correct is Deer Creek reservoir. … So this actually sits … between main leisure areas.

Natalie Morales: It appears ginormous.

Skye Lazaro: It is huge.

The 20,000-square-foot mansion and its 4,000-square-foot guesthouse had been initially in-built 2017 however by no means completed. The challenge was deserted for 2 years till Kouri found it.

Skye Lazaro: I feel this … was form of her dream when she acquired into this concept of flipping homes was to have the ability to do properties like this.

Lazaro says Kouri used financing from a bunch of traders to make a proposal on the home for $3.9 million.

Skye Lazaro: The plan was to develop this, flip it right into a leisure hotspot, given that is most likely one of the vital lovely locations on the planet and … hopefully promote it at a revenue.

Natalie Morales: How a lot did she suppose she might make off of this home?

Lisa Darden: Her and Eric sat down with an accountant one time, and he stated, if you may get it completed and keep beneath finances, you would stroll away with $12 million.

Natalie Morales: Wow. … That is a — that is an enormous flip.

Lisa Darden: Sure.

Natalie Morales: From $3.9 to $12 million.

Lisa Darden: Sure.

Greg Corridor labored with Kouri. He says it was a strong funding.

Greg Corridor: There was plenty of pleasure. I keep in mind how excited she was. … it will’ve been an actual simple flip. They would not have needed to — to take a seat on that for lengthy.

Natalie Morales: So far as , Eric was on board with this plan?

Lisa Darden: Oh, 100%.

However that is not what Eric’s household remembers, says their spokesman Greg Skordas.

Greg Skordas: I do not suppose he was ever in favor of that … He was on board with supporting his spouse. That does not imply he agreed with it.

In reality, the home is talked about in a authorized submitting, containing notes from an investigator who interviewed Eric’s household after his loss of life. They stated “Eric and his spouse had been arguing” about shopping for the property.

And that wasn’t all Eric’s household informed investigators. In accordance with that very same submitting, they made quite a few allegations towards Kouri, together with that they suspected “his spouse had one thing to do along with his loss of life. They suggested he warned them that if something occurred to him… she was responsible.”

Additionally they informed investigators they believed Kouri had tried to poison Eric earlier than, on two separate events.

In accordance with the submitting, Eric’s household stated the primary tried poisoning was in 2019 when Eric and Kouri and 6 associates had been on trip in Greece. They stated Eric turned “violently ailing” after Kouri “gave him a drink.” Ronney says he heard it was all a misunderstanding. 

Ronney Darden: Eric was on treatment and … that treatment, you are not allowed to drink on … he requested the waitress, uh, to deliver a, a virgin drink, a drink with out alcohol. … She did not do it and made him very, very sick. … Kouri known as his physician. Um, found out what to do and … later that evening he was again and — and tremendous. … everybody that was there’ll inform you the very same factor.

In accordance with that very same submitting, the second time Eric’s household stated Kouri tried to poison Eric was the month earlier than Eric died, on Valentine’s Day 2022. They stated, “his spouse introduced him a sandwich, which after one chew Eric broke into hives and could not breathe.” Kouri’s household denies she ever tried to poison him.

Ronney Darden: They ordered a sandwich, and the sandwich was dangerous.

Skye Lazaro: He went and took a nap after which went and coached considered one of his kid’s video games.

Skye Lazaro: Apart from an assertion … by the household, uh, there does not appear to be the rest on the market that helps that.

Eric’s household additionally known as into query Kouri’s habits following her husband’s loss of life.

In accordance with courtroom paperwork, Eric’s household informed investigators two days after Eric died, Kouri punched Eric’s sister Amy “within the neck and face” when Amy tried to cease her from opening a protected they stated contained “between $125,000 and $165,000 money.”

Ronney Darden: There was an argument that broke out. … and … Eric’s sister stated that she owns the home. … all the things is put right into a belief, and he or she owns the home.

Keep in mind, Eric had created that belief — and saved it secret from Kouri — after they had been going by way of these marital issues. Till Eric’s loss of life, Kouri knew nothing concerning the belief, in response to courtroom paperwork.

Ronney Darden: If Eric had any form of paperwork, he’d have them within the protected … So, she went in to go, see what was in there. … Amy got here after Kouri, after which, , Kouri defended herself.

DJ: The 2 of them began pushing and … I used to be standing in the midst of them. … All they did was push. Each of them had been attempting to swing excessive of me. … So the narrative that is been pushed that it was — poor Amy acquired assaulted was nonsense.

The brothers say Amy stormed off and known as the police. A month later Kouri was charged with assault and later pleaded no contest.

Skye Lazaro: Her husband’s simply handed away, she’s extremely emotional. All people is —

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Skye Lazaro: — extremely emotional. … issues acquired somewhat heated between them.

Two households. Two very totally different tales about what they consider occurred to Eric. However with accusations flying backwards and forwards, what did the proof present?

Skye Lazaro: The state has to show … that she did this, that she acquired the medication and that she in some way gave them to him.

Greg Skordas: She had apparently … contacted a drug vendor, a identified drug vendor in that space, and bought fentanyl and had, uh — completed it on multiple event.

KOURI RICHINS IN COURT: BAIL HEARING BRINGS FIRST LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE

In June 2023, Kouri Richins appeared in courtroom earlier than Choose Richard Mrazik for a bond listening to.

JUDGE RICHARD MRAZIK: The difficulty earlier than the courtroom is whether or not defendant Kouri Richins ought to proceed to be held with out bail in the course of the pre-trial interval.

It was the primary time since Richins had been charged in her husband’s loss of life that the general public acquired to see her. And for your entire four-hour listening to, she sat in handcuffs subsequent to her lawyer, Skye Lazaro. 

Skye Lazaro: I can not think about how troublesome it was for Kouri to take a seat there and take heed to all the things that was talked about at that listening to.  

To persuade the decide why Richins shouldn’t be launched, prosecutors Patricia Cassell, Brad Bloodworth, and Joseph Hill offered proof and known as witnesses to make their case Richins had poisoned her husband. It had all the weather of a mini trial.

Skye Lazaro: To ensure that the decide to make a willpower to detain somebody at a bail listening to, the state has to show substantial proof.

Prosecutor Joseph Hill known as to the stand cellphone skilled Chris Kotodrimos.

He requested him about Google searches he says Richins made on her telephone.

JOSEPH HILL (in courtroom): Have been you in a position to observe, uh, Web searches on that telephone?

CHRIS KOTODRIMOS: Sure.

These searches – which had been detailed in courtroom paperwork – included:

• Can deleted textual content messages be retrieved from an iPhone?
• Can FBI discover deleted messages?
• What is a deadly dose of fentanyl?

Skye Lazaro: I do not know that these searches imply as a lot whenever you have a look at the timing of after they’re completed.

Lazaro says there’s an harmless rationalization: these searches had been performed after Eric’s loss of life.

Skye Lazaro: I feel it is extra to reply questions referring to what she was being accused of.

The state additionally known as to the stand the lead the investigator on the case Detective Jeff O’Driscoll. 

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): I used to be assigned to be the lead — the lead detective on this case in April of this yr.

Prosecutor Bloodworth questioned Detective O’Driscoll about the place Richins might have gotten fentanyl. He particularly requested about an interview the detective performed with Carmen Lauber, who stated she labored for Richins. She’s known as C.L. 

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): C.L. is an affiliate of the defendant. Uh, she cleaned homes for the defendant’s enterprise, in addition to her private dwelling at instances.

Detective O’Driscoll stated C.L had a legal historical past with medication. On the time of their interview she was on probation for a number of drug distribution expenses, in response to courtroom data. She has not been charged in reference to Eric’s loss of life.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): in our interview C.L. informed us that in early 2022, the defendant reached out to her both by telephone name or textual content message requesting that she procure fentanyl for what the defendant reported was a investor who had a again harm.

Detective O’Driscoll testified that C.L. informed him she bought 15-30 fentanyl drugs after which bought them to Richins.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): C.L. informed us that after buying the drugs she returned dwelling … she stated that both later that evening or the following day, the defendant met her … and did a hand-to-hand alternate of drugs for money.

That transaction, says Detective O’Driscoll, occurred on Feb. 11, 2022 – three days earlier than Valentine’s Day – when, in response to courtroom paperwork, Eric’s household stated Richins had tried and did not poison Eric with that sandwich. However there was extra.

BRAD BLOODWORTH: (in courtroom) We’re gonna now shift … to a second drug purchase

Detective O’Driscoll stated C.L. informed him Richins contacted her once more roughly per week later.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): The defendant reached out to her once more by textual content or, or name and stated that she needed some extra fentanyl that was stronger than the earlier batch.

This time, Detective O’Driscoll stated, C.L. informed him Richins paid by verify.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): The defendant got here to the door and wrote her a verify from her enterprise, from the defendant’s enterprise for $1,300 for the acquisition of the fentanyl.

Only a week later, Eric was lifeless.

Skye Lazaro: We dispute all of these allegations.

In her cross-examination, Lazaro requested Detective O’Driscoll if there might have been another excuse for that $1,300 verify.

SKYE LAZARO (in courtroom): It might very effectively be that Kouri was paying her for cleansing homes, appropriate?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: I do not wanna speculate, however —

SKYE LAZARO: It might be.

DET. O’DRISCOLL: It is doable.

SKYE LAZARO: Regardless of what C.L. stated? Appropriate? OK.

Lazaro says as a result of Carmen Lauber is a convicted felon she’s not credible.

Skye Lazaro: She … was on probation on the time. I feel anytime you may have an informant-type state of affairs … it could possibly name into query the veracity of their statements or the motive for what they’re saying.

In her cross-examination of Detective O’Driscoll, Lazaro tried to point out how C.L. might need felt stress to inform investigators what they needed to listen to.

SKYE LAZARO (in courtroom): You start the interview by explaining to C.L. primarily how dire of a state of affairs she’s in, appropriate?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: I haven’t got the interview memorized, however I do know we talked about that. Sure.

SKYE LAZARO: OK. Nicely, you informed her that she was on probation to drug courtroom for 4 first-degree felonies, appropriate?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: Appropriate.

SKYE LAZARO: You primarily inform her that she has the potential of doing a substantial quantity of state and federal jail time, probably.

DET. O’DRISCOLL: Sure. This can be a frequent tactic in legislation enforcement to have the ability to leverage expenses for data.

Lazaro additionally requested the detective what proof there was to again up C.L.’s claims that she had bought fentanyl to Richins. 

SKYE LAZARO (in courtroom): As a result of C.L.’s working for the defendant there’s communication, appropriate?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: Appropriate.

However Detective O’Driscoll stated he noticed no textual content messages the place Richins allegedly asks C.L. for medication.

DET. O’DRISCOLL (in courtroom): We did not discover any.

SKYE LAZARO: Was anybody along with her that would corroborate that she noticed C.L. hand Kouri medication?

DET. O’DRISCOLL: Not that I do know of.

“48 Hours” tried to contact C.L. for remark; we acquired no response.

Skye Lazaro: They must show that she obtained medication and gave them to her husband.

Skye Lazaro: And except they’ll join these dots, they’re gonna have a tough time proving homicide on this case.

BOMBSHELL LETTER FOUND IN KOURI RICHINS’ CELL

As Kouri Richins’ bond listening to got here to a detailed, her lawyer Skye Lazaro was hopeful her consumer can be granted bail.

Skye Lazaro: This can be a case by which there does not look like any smoking gun. These instances are usually extra favorable to the protection.

The prosecution closed its case to disclaim Richins bail with a sufferer influence assertion from Eric’s sister, Amy.

AMY RICHINS (in courtroom): I am right here right this moment to symbolize my brother, Eric Eugene Richins. … Eric is gone and I’m brokenhearted. … None of our lives will ever be the identical. Eric died beneath horrendous circumstances. I’m tormented on the considered what he endured … Please don’t permit Kouri to harm Eric’s reminiscence, our household, associates, and group anymore. We now have been by way of sufficient.

Choose Richard Mrazik spent little or no time making his choice: Richins would stay in custody.

JUDGE RICHARD MRAZIK: The circumstances of this case weigh soundly towards granting pre-trial launch of any type.

Richins’ household was disillusioned. They are saying her time in jail whereas ready for her trial has taken its toll.

Lisa Darden: I hear her on the telephone. I hear her sobbing.

In September 2023, Richins’ household says, she had a medical emergency in custody whereas taking prescription treatment and wanted to be rushed to the hospital.

Natalie Morales: What did she say occurred to her?

Lisa Darden: That they gave her the incorrect medication… and it brought on a seizure.

Richins made a full restoration. However whereas she was away, jail officers say they discovered a handwritten letter in her cell that was by no means despatched. The doc, later filed within the courtroom report, has grow to be identified for the phrases scrawled on the high of the web page: “Stroll the Canine.” Prosecutors say it is from Richins to her mom.

Lisa Darden: I deal with her 16-year-old canine.

Natalie Morales: Mm-hmm.

Lisa Darden: And her factor is, ensure you stroll Har. … She’s so anxious about this canine.

In November 2023, prosecutors filed this movement asking the courtroom for a no contact order to disclaim Richins entry to her mom and brother. Within the movement, they are saying the letter “is proof of witness tampering.” They are saying Richins provides her mom directions on what her brother, Ronney, ought to say in courtroom.

 “The letter instructs Lisa Darden to induce the Defendant’s brother, Ronald Darden … to testify falsely,” the movement states.

Greg Skordas: To me, this letter is an try and get a witness to testify to one thing that is not true by spoon feeding… the witness the testimony that he is supposed to offer.

Within the letter, Richins writes that her protection might want to set up that Eric purchased medication whereas touring overseas:

“We want some form of connection … Here’s what I am pondering however you need to speak to Ronney. He would most likely must testify to this.”

Natalie Morales: Within the letter, it seems that she’s laying out somewhat little bit of her protection … for instance …  your identify is introduced up. Eric informed Ronney he will get ache drugs and fentanyl from Mexico.

Natalie Morales : … virtually like she is laying out — a case —

Ronney Darden: Mm-hmm.

Natalie Morales: — saying inform Ronney.

Richins goes on to write down:

“Ronney ought to have texts from Eric speaking about getting excessive as effectively … reword this nonetheless he must, to make the purpose, simply embody all of it. The connection needs to be made with Mexico and medicines.” 

Natalie Morales: Is she providing you with instruction on this letter

Lisa Darden: I do not know. I do not know a technique or one other.

Ronney Darden: Um, most of that, sadly, I am unable to talk about.

Lisa Darden: The issues which are within the letter are true issues and everyone who’s — who’s in her circle already knew this.

However Kouri has a distinct rationalization. She says the letter is fiction. In separate telephone calls from jail – that had been recorded and later entered into the courtroom report  – she informed her mom and Ronney that the letter was a part of a ebook she’s been writing and that it is personal.

The decide denied the movement for no contact, saying the state had did not show witness tampering.

Skye Lazaro: It is not witness tampering, ‘trigger it did not go anyplace and it was by no means communicated to anybody.

Because the households await the trial, they are saying their focus is on Eric and Kouri’s three sons.

Greg Skordas: The household is worried concerning the boys.

Lisa Darden: That is the principle focus. The boys. That is who’s necessary right here proper now.

Each households say they hope to achieve custody. The boys are presently residing with a member of Eric’s household. Lisa says they’re solely allowed to talk to their mom twice per week on a video name.

Lisa Darden: It is simply heart-wrenching as to what they are going by way of.

Lisa, Ronney and DJ have been denied personal visits with the children, however Lisa says she does what she will to help them, and attends all their sports activities practices.

Lisa Darden: And the rationale I can try this, it is a public place. … I am unable to be stopped from going there. I nonetheless get to see them. I nonetheless get a hug and kiss, and that retains me going.

In addition to the homicide case, which might carry a sentence of 25 years to life, Kouri faces one other legal case for fraud and forgery expenses, and there are a number of ongoing civil instances concerning the destiny of Eric’s property. Each side consider the opposite is after the cash.

Natalie Morales: Each households are involved concerning the boys.

Greg Skordas: You possibly can say that. You possibly can say that. I would not. … we consider that the defendant’s household’s involved concerning the cash that they’ll get.

Lisa Darden: Whoever finally ends up with the boys finally ends up with the cash. … That is all they need. It isn’t proper.

Till that is resolved, each households are ready for the trial to start out, and are hoping for a verdict that delivers their model of justice.

Natalie Morales: What’s the household doing to remain sturdy now?

Greg Skordas: , the household has the household, they’ve one another … they really feel just like the state has put collectively case and … they are going to keep united and — and help one another it doesn’t matter what occurs on this case.

Ronney Darden: She’s harmless. She’s been thrown in jail over one thing that she hasn’t dedicated.

Natalie Morales: Are you each assured that Kouri will likely be discovered not responsible, Lisa?

Lisa Darden: I’m, 100%.

DJ: One hundred percent, she’ll be out.

Skye Lazaro withdrew from the case in Could 2024.

Kouri Richins is scheduled to go on trial for the homicide of her husband in 2025.

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“48 HOURS” POST MORTEM PODCAST

Natalie Morales and producer Betsy Shuller talk about the six life insurance coverage insurance policies, the 20,000-square-foot mansion Kouri bought simply after his loss of life, and the doubtless incriminating handwritten letter present in her jail cell.  

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Produced by Betsy Shuller. Ryan Smith and Elena DiFiore are the event producers. Emma Steele is the sphere producer. Marcus Balsam Michael Vele and Phil Tangel are the editors. Anthony Batson is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer.