20/20: The After Show

Episode: "Murder She Wrote: The Kouri Richins Trial"
Date: March 23, 2026
Host: Debra Roberts
Contributors: Brian Buckmire (ABC Legal Analyst), Dr. Stephanie Widmer (ER Physician & Toxicologist), Testimony Audio

Episode Overview

In this gripping After Show episode, the 20/20 team dissects the sensational case of Kouri Richins—a Utah real estate agent, children’s author, and, ultimately, convicted murderer. The episode unpacks Richins’ rise and fall: from devoted wife and mother to the woman accused and convicted of poisoning her husband, Eric Richins, with a cocktail laced with fentanyl. Host Debra Roberts and legal analyst Brian Buckmire review the jaw-dropping layers of this case—including the shocking details, courtroom drama, and aftermath for those left behind. Dr. Stephanie Widmer joins later to explain the deadly nature of fentanyl and what happened biologically in Eric’s final moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of Eric and Kouri Richins

[04:43]

• Kouri and Eric meet when Kouri (then Darden) is a cash register assistant at Home Depot; Eric is launching his masonry business.
• Contrasting backgrounds highlighted: Kouri from a modest upbringing, Eric from “a family of cattle ranchers.”
• They marry, have three sons, and cultivate an image of a happy, successful family.
• Outwardly “like a Hallmark movie” ([05:46]), but cracks emerge with financial strain and marital strife.

2. The Events Leading To Eric's Death

• Premeditation & Motive:
  • Kouri was “bad with money.” There was marital tension, a prenup, and evidence she wanted to start a new life with another man, Josh Grossman ([06:12]).
  • Prosecutors allege her motive is both love (the affair) and money (insurance fraud).
• First Attempt—Valentine’s Day Incident ([07:02]):
  • Weeks before Eric’s death, he falls ill after eating a sandwich Kouri brings him.
  • Texts reveal Eric told friends, “I think my wife might have tried to kill me.”

    “He says he takes his son’s EpiPen, hits him in his leg, takes a gulp of like some allergy medication, sleeps it off, and then goes to... coaching the kids.” –Brian Buckmire [07:45]

• The Night of Eric’s Death – March 4, 2022 ([08:20]):
  • The couple celebrates Kouri’s business deal. After the kids go to bed, she makes Eric a drink. Claims she stays with a child having a nightmare and “doesn’t get up until 3am,” discovering Eric dead.

3. 911 Call and Initial Reactions

[09:13]

• Audio from 911: Kouri claims Eric isn’t breathing; operator tries to walk her through CPR.
  • “You listen to her and it’s like, this sounds weird... the franticness, the tone.” –Brian Buckmire [09:57]
  • Brian notes every person grieves differently but admits the call “sounds weird.”
• At first, Kouri is treated as a victim.
• Authorities consider accidental overdose; no trauma on Eric.

4. The Turn in the Investigation

• Toxicology finds illicit (not medical) fentanyl—starts criminal inquiry ([11:46]).
• Kouri quickly writes and promotes a children’s book about grief the following year, featuring in local media ([12:04]).
• Raising suspicion: instead of receding from view, she embraces the limelight.
• The pivotal break comes with the arrest of the family housekeeper, Carmen Lauber ([13:25]), who testifies Kouri asked her twice to acquire illegal drugs.
• The timeline:
  • March 2023: Lauber arrested and flips
  • May 2023: Kouri arrested

5. The Trial: Defense vs. Prosecution

[16:53]

• Defense Strategy ([17:40]):
  • Hinge on “reasonable doubt”—argues no direct evidence Kouri obtained or administered the drugs.
  • Claim: All evidence is circumstantial, so jury should acquit.
• “Walk the Dog” Letter Bombshell ([18:25]):
  • A secret letter found in Kouri’s jail cell, allegedly instructing her family how to testify.
  • “At the very top it says, like, ‘walk the dog, be inconspicuous’…actions that a person would do only if they are guilty.” –Brian Buckmire [18:39]
  • Kouri claims it’s part of a book manuscript.
• Portrayal of Motive ([20:06]):
  • Prosecution frames her as driven by both love (affair) and money (insurance fraud).

    “When it comes to murder, it’s usually the big three... love, money, or revenge. Here you had two of the three.” –Brian Buckmire [20:19]

6. Kouri’s Silence, Conviction, and Aftermath

[22:00]

• Kouri does not testify—Brian explains why: her defense is “I don’t know how he got poisoned,” so nothing to add, and cross-exam would be devastating.
• Jury convicts on all counts.
  • “...especially as a mother, I think that’s her realizing I’m missing my entire children’s lives.” –Brian Buckmire on Kouri’s reaction to the verdict [23:34]
• The emotional cost for close friends (notably Allie Staking), families, and especially the three children ([23:54]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Did someone write this story or was this like a real life thing?” –Brian Buckmire [04:13]
• “This is like a Hallmark movie, right?” –Brian Buckmire [05:46]
• “He says he takes his son’s EpiPen, hits him in his leg, takes a gulp of like some allergy medication, sleeps it off, and then goes to... coaching the kids.” –Brian Buckmire [07:45]
• “You listen to her and it’s like, this sounds weird. The franticness, the tone...” –Brian Buckmire on Kouri’s 911 call [09:57]
• “Only guilty people do this.” –Brian Buckmire on the jailhouse “Walk the Dog” letter [19:13]
• “Love, money or revenge. And here you had two of the three.” –Brian Buckmire on motives [20:19]
• “The betrayal part of it is big. Especially when you are alongside with the defense and you, I think not just the verdict, but you also agree with the verdict... you say, wow, I was wrong.” –Brian Buckmire [25:09]

Forensic Analysis: Fentanyl Explained

Timestamps: [28:12] – [34:00] | Guest: Dr. Stephanie Widmer

The Science Behind the Crime

• Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid “50 times stronger than heroin and 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.”
• “The difference between providing that sedation and death can be very, very tiny.” ([29:08])
• Street fentanyl is unregulated—makes accidental or intentional overdose far more likely.
• The lethal dose is minuscule: “Just the tip of this pencil...is considered a lethal amount. And he was given five times that amount.” –Debra Roberts [28:39]
• Mechanism: Fentanyl “binds very strong, very tightly and very quickly to... opioid receptors in the brainstem,” shutting down breathing ([30:37]).
• Narcan (naloxone) is a fast-acting opioid antidote. Dr. Widmer demonstrates its use ([31:19]).

The Sentencing: What Comes Next?

[34:08]

• Sentencing scheduled for May.
• Expected: Victim impact statements—both cathartic for families and informative for the judge.
• Kouri may speak publicly for the first time—remorse (or lack thereof) will be significant.

Emotional Fallout

• For Friends & Family:
  • Kouri’s former friend Allie Staking expresses anguish and disbelief ([23:54]–[24:23]):

    “I don’t know how Corey’s kids are doing... I loved Eric, and I would have never wished that for them or for him. And I loved his kids... I have no idea what I’d say to Corey. I don’t know. I’m gonna need more time to think on that one.” –Allie Staking [23:54]

• On the Nature of Betrayal:
  • “How can my friend kill her husband and then write a book about it and not think about the children... and then you have the trial and you’re like, oh, wow, I was wrong.” –Brian Buckmire [25:09]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:43] – Origin story: Kouri & Eric’s backgrounds & marriage.
• [07:02] – Valentine’s Day poisoning attempt.
• [08:20] – The fatal night: Kouri’s story of Eric’s death.
• [09:13-10:00] – 911 call audio, initial reactions.
• [13:25] – Housekeeper’s arrest turns the case.
• [16:53] – Post-verdict: Defense strategy and “Walk the Dog” letter.
• [18:39] – Analysis of jailhouse letter; motive explored.
• [22:47] – Kouri’s reaction to the conviction.
• [23:54] – Testimony from Kouri’s former best friend, Allie Staking.
• [28:12] – Dr. Stephanie Widmer explains fentanyl’s effects and risks.
• [34:08] – Discussion of the upcoming sentencing.

Tone & Style

• Authentic, Unvarnished: The hosts and guests speak candidly, with a mix of expertise, wonder, and empathy (“Did someone write this story or was this like a real life thing?”).
• Deep Empathy for Survivors: The ongoing pain for friends, family, and surviving children is foregrounded.
• Accessible Forensics: Dr. Widmer explains deadly pharmacology simply and visually (pencil analogy).

This episode provides a comprehensive, multidimensional view of a headline-grabbing true crime case—moving from the facts of the investigation and trial to the scientific underpinnings of the murder weapon, and finally, to the lasting emotional impact for all those involved.