20/20 – Murder She Wrote: The Kouri Richins Trial

Podcast: 20/20
Host: ABC News
Air Date: March 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This gripping two-hour episode unpacks one of Utah’s most sensational true crime cases: the investigation, arrest, and trial of Kouri Richins. Once portrayed as a devoted mother and grief author, Kouri was ultimately convicted of murdering her husband, Eric Richins. The episode explores the events leading up to Eric's death, the competing public narratives, financial and romantic twists, the forensic puzzle, and dramatic courtroom revelations, all culminating in a closely watched murder conviction.

Key Themes & Insights

• Dual Realities: Kouri Richins transitions from grieving widow and children’s book author to accused—and ultimately convicted—murderer.
• Forensic Mystery: Investigators uncover a web of potentially incriminating financial actions, unconventional relationships, and a digital trace of calculated planning.
• Family, Grief, and Betrayal: The episode spotlights the devastation wrought on both families, the battle for Eric’s estate, and the fate of the couple's three young sons.
• Chilling Motives: The prosecution presents evidence of financial desperation and extramarital romance, while the defense maintains there’s no direct link to Kouri administering the fatal dose.

Episode Structure & Key Segments

1. Sudden Death and Public Grieving

[04:00–16:00]

• Eric Richins’ death: On a March night, 911 is called—Eric is found unresponsive and cold.

  "My husband's not breathing. He's cold." – Kouri to 911 operator [05:00]

• Bodycam & chaos: Law enforcement and paramedics react at the scene; Kouri recounts the night’s events.
• Public image: Kouri appears on local news sharing her journey of helping her sons grieve by writing Are You With Me?, a children’s book about loss.

  "Just because he’s not present here with us, that doesn't mean his presence isn't here with us." – Kouri [06:30]

2. Investigation & Family Fallout

[16:00–45:00]

• Initial reaction: Immediate suspicion and confusion among Eric’s family and Kouri, including a tense will dispute just days after his death.

  "Amy told authorities that Corey punched her in the face and the neck. ... She ends up pleading no contest." – Narrator [38:45]

• Funeral divides: Tensions between families deepen; Kouri's behavior draws scrutiny.

3. Autopsy Shock & Criminal Inquiry

[45:00–53:30]

• Autopsy findings: Cause of death is fentanyl intoxication—five times the lethal dose, with no prescription history or known drug use.

  "For the people that knew Eric, the autopsy was absolutely shocking." – Narrator [50:00]

• Escalating suspicion: The result triggers a full criminal investigation; authorities search the Richins home but find no fentanyl.

4. Financial Motives & Marital Strains

[54:00–1:10:00]

• Business pressures: Kouri is revealed to have taken out a secret $250,000 loan, leading Eric to update his will and trust, cutting Kouri out.

  "He wanted to make sure his children were taken care of." – Narrator [1:03:00]

• Mounting debts: Kouri’s ambitious real estate projects and hard money loans place her under immense financial strain. High-stakes property deals go wrong, causing losses to clients and friends.

5. Past Poisons, Plotting, and the PI’s Break

[1:10:00–1:26:00]

• Eric’s suspicions: Episodes surface from a trip to Greece (2019) and a Valentine’s Day 2022 sandwich, with Eric alleging Kouri tried to poison him.

  “He texted friends, ‘You almost lost me this time. I think she might have poisoned me.’” – Narrator [1:22:00]

• Private investigation: Eric’s family hires a PI, leading to scrutiny of Kouri’s communications—especially with Carmen Lauber, a figure with a drug-related criminal past.

6. The Drug Connection: Carmen Lauber & Fentanyl Sourcing

[1:26:00–1:38:15]

• Carmen’s account: Under pressure, Carmen testifies that she sourced fentanyl for Kouri, at Kouri’s request, specifically aiming for a lethal dose.

  “The first batch wasn’t strong enough ... the thought was insinuated that she wanted you to get something that somebody could die from.” – Carmen Lauber [1:34:00]

• Records and timing: Text exchanges and purchase traces correlate to the days of Eric’s sandwich incident and his death.

7. The Arrest, Book, and Narrative Divide

[1:38:15–1:44:00]

• Kouri’s public promotion: She appears on TV to promote her book, only to be arrested days later for aggravated murder.

  "I really didn’t do is murder my husband." – Kouri, in public statement [1:43:20]

• Community shock: The apparent contradiction between Kouri’s public persona and emerging evidence stuns friends and family.

8. Legal Showdowns: Bail, Searches, and Key Evidence

[1:44:00–1:59:00]

• Questionable searches: After being served a search warrant, Kouri Googles “what is a lethal dose of fentanyl?”—this becomes prosecutorial ammunition.

  “Some of the more interesting Internet searches included luxury prisons for the rich in America ... what is a lethal dose of fentanyl?” – Prosecutor [1:50:00]

• Jailhouse intrigue: Authorities discover a letter (“walk the dog”) allegedly instructing a family member to provide false testimony about Eric’s potential drug sources.

9. Motives Multiply: Romance & Trial Prep

[1:59:00–2:15:00]

• Affair disclosure: Kouri’s long-term affair with Josh Grossman surfaces, complete with emotional text exchanges envisioning a future together post-divorce (or Eric “gone”).

  “If he could just go away and you could just be here, life would be so perfect. I love you.” – Kouri, in text to Grossman [2:09:15]

• Changing defense: Multiple attorney changes and mounting financial and romantic motives add layers to the prosecution’s case.

10. The Trial: Opening Drama to Shocking Finish

[2:15:00–2:45:00]

• Jury selected: 8-person panel convenes; public and media attention is intense.
• State’s case: Motives are presented—financial ruin, extramarital love, and opportunity. Key witnesses testify:
  • Carmen Lauber recounts delivering fentanyl to Kouri, under immunity.
  • Robert Crozier (the dealer) testifies, but the defense challenges his memory and credibility.
  • Close friends recall Kouri expressing a wish for Eric "to be dead"—though cross-examination raises doubts on their recollections.
  • Josh Grossman's emotional testimony and texts suggest a strong romantic motive.
• Defense rests without witnesses.

  “So when the defense rested without presenting any witnesses, my mouth, I think, dropped open.” – Laura, jury foreperson [2:42:00]

11. Verdict & Aftermath

[2:45:00–end]

• Jury deliberates <3 hours. Guilty verdict on all counts.

  “We the jury unanimously find that the defendant, Corey Richins, is guilty of aggravated murder.” – Verdict [2:48:30]

• Family reactions: No sense of victory; just loss for all involved.

  “There are three little boys at the heart of this. ... They have a lot of, a lot of love surrounding them. ... They're gonna be fine.” [Epilogue]

• Future: Kouri faces additional fraud charges; Eric’s sister adopts the couple's children.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

The Public Face vs Private Reality

• Kouri, on processing grief:

  "Just because he’s not present here with us, that doesn’t mean his presence isn’t here with us and he’s doing these things with us." [06:30]

• Early family skepticism:

  "My husband’s active. He didn’t just die in his sleep. This is insane." [17:40]

The Toxicology Bombshell

• Narrator:

  "The initial autopsy report comes back and it's drug intoxication fentanyl as the cause of death. Five times the amount of fentanyl that could kill anyone." [50:30]

Drug Sourcing Revealed

• Carmen Lauber (drug supplier):

  "The first batch wasn’t strong enough. ... The thought was insinuated that she wanted you to get something that somebody could die from." [1:34:00]

Romantic Motive

• Josh Grossman (affair partner):

  "If he could just go away and you could just be here, life would be so perfect. I love you." – reading Kouri’s text [2:09:15]

Defense Shock

• Laura (jury foreperson):

  "So when the defense rested without presenting any witnesses, my mouth, I think, dropped open." [2:42:00]

Courtroom & Verdict

• Judge:

  "Would you please hand the verdict form to the Deputy. Ms. Richards, please stand. Count one, aggravated murder. We the jury unanimously find that the defendant Corey Richins is guilty of aggravated murder." [2:48:30]

• Eric’s family (after verdict):

  "There is a hole in our family that cannot be filled. But now at least we have definitive closure." [2:52:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 04:00 – 911 call & Eric’s death
• 16:00 – Family confrontation over the estate
• 38:45 – Kouri assaults Eric’s sister; legal fallout
• 50:00 – Autopsy results disclosed
• 1:03:00 – Revelation of secret debt triggers Eric’s trust changes
• 1:22:00 – Eric tells friends he thinks Kouri is poisoning him
• 1:34:00 – Carmen Lauber describes sourcing fentanyl
• 1:43:20 – Kouri’s public statement: “What I really didn’t do is murder my husband”
• 1:50:00 – Google searches (“lethal dose of fentanyl,” etc.) presented as evidence
• 2:09:15 – Kouri’s incriminating text to Josh Grossman
• 2:42:00 – Jury foreperson reacts to defense resting
• 2:48:30 – Verdict delivered: guilty on all counts
• 2:52:10 – Richins family gives closure statement

Conclusion: Lasting Impact

The episode closes on the somber aftermath: Kouri faces life in prison, additional financial crimes, and parental rights termination. Eric’s three children are adopted by his sister—a grim ending to a story that began with love and loss, and ended in courtroom heartbreak. The case stands as a chilling example of how outward appearances can mask the darkest plots—and how digital, forensic, and testimonial evidence can converge to reveal a hidden truth.