48 Hours – "Kouri Richins Found Guilty"

Host: 48 Hours Correspondent Natalie Morales
Guest: Defense Attorney Sky Lazzaro (previous counsel to Kouri Richins)
Air Date: March 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the recent verdict in the high-profile Kouri Richins case—an author accused and found guilty of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, in Utah in 2022. The 48 Hours team, led by correspondent Natalie Morales, unpacks the evidence, trial strategies, and implications with defense attorney Sky Lazzaro, who previously represented Richins and was present for the closing arguments. The conversation scrutinizes every pivotal development, from financial motives and witness testimony to damning digital evidence and the infamous children’s book penned by Richins while under suspicion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Verdict and Trial Strategy

• Quick Jury Deliberation
  • The jury found Kouri Richins guilty on all counts, including aggravated murder, after only a few hours of deliberation.
  • Sky Lazzaro: “I was surprised by how quickly the jury came back… somewhat expected the jury to go back, probably do a little bit of deliberation...go home, get some rest, and then come back the next day.” (02:05)
• Defense Decision Not to Call Witnesses or Richins
  • The defense did not present witnesses or put Richins on the stand, a tactic that Lazzaro describes as a difficult strategic choice often made in real time.
  • Lazzaro notes, “You hate to Monday morning quarterback…these are decisions that you make in real time... The state actually held back some evidence, I think because they expected Corey to probably testify…” (02:36)
  • Ultimately, Lazzaro acknowledges the prosecution succeeded in painting a damning portrait of Richins.

Motive: Financial and Personal

• Financial Pressures

  • The prosecution painted a picture of overwhelming debt and a quest for Eric’s insurance money and estate, valued at $4 million.
  • Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth: “The motive in this case truly was money…happened to have been fentanyl that she administered…That amount shows that Corey Richards wanted Eric not only dead, but good and dead.” (04:28)

• Affair with Robert “Josh” Grossman

  • The trial revealed confirmed details of an ongoing affair, with supporting text messages and testimony from Grossman.
  • Morales: “The prosecution…argued that Corey also wanted to start this whole other life with Robert Josh, as he goes by, Grossman…Now we’re seeing we have confirmation of it and his testimony.” (17:44)

Evidence and Testimonies

Carmen Lauber: The Key (but Flawed) Witness

• Drug Procurement Testimony

  • Lauber, a cleaning worker with a criminal past, testified that Richins procured fentanyl through her.
  • Carmen Lauber: “I text Corey back and told her that I had a friend that could get them, but they were fentanyl pills.” (08:11)
  • Lauber admitted her testimony evolved over time, under pressure from investigators and while on probation for serious drug crimes.
  • Investigator (to Lauber): “The only exception…is if you can help us out with this [the Kouri Richins case].” (10:06)
  • Defense Attorney Wendy Lewis (to Lauber): “You keep changing your story…up to this point, you’ve said no fentanyl. I don’t deal in fentanyl…I got her Roxies. I got her Oxys… Oh, I guess I got her fentanyl. How else would fentanyl be in my head?” (10:55)

• Defense’s Critique

  • Lazzaro emphasizes the risks of building a case on such a witness: “When you pin your entire case on someone like Carmen Lauber…she does say that she sold Corey drugs, but that wasn’t fentanyl. And it wasn’t until several interviews later when the state investigator is really pushing on her.” (09:02)

Digital Footprint

• Web Searches as Evidence
  • Richins’ searches post-investigation included “how to delete information from your phone,” “lethal dose of fentanyl,” and “luxury prisons.”
  • Lazzaro suggests these may be explainable—searches occurred after she learned she was a suspect: “A search warrant was executed…those searches were conducted after she was given a copy of a search warrant…she didn’t know what a lethal dose of fentanyl was. Had she killed him, she would know…” (12:19)

“Walk the Dog” Letter

• Jailhouse Note
  • A letter from Richins to her mother outlined a possible defense for her brother Ronnie to use, suggesting Eric got fentanyl from Mexico. Prosecutors implied this was evidence of coaching or witness tampering.
  • Detective Jeff O’Driscoll (reading): “…He gets pain pills and fentanyl from Mexico from the workers at the ranch. Not to tell me because I would get mad…” (13:56)
  • Lazzaro pushes back: “This letter was probably the single worst thing…It was published immediately by the district attorney’s office to the press…In reality…this letter was found in her cell after they executed a search…it’s thoughts on a page. It’s not witness tampering.” (15:12)

The Book About Grief

• Richins’ Children’s Book
  • After Eric’s death but before her arrest, Richins self-published a children’s book about grief. This became a focal piece of the prosecution’s claims about her calculated public persona.
  • Bloodworth (Prosecutor): “She wrote it…all to deflect attention away…She also wrote it to make money…She thought she would sell 100,000 copies in 10 months…That is not tethered to reality, but it does provide insight in how desperate she was for money…” (22:45)
  • Lazzaro disputes this assessment: “The timing of the book, I’ll concede, was absolutely terrible…But, you know, I think the state’s idea of why she did it is wildly speculative, and I’m not sure there’s really any evidence to back that up.” (24:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motive & Guilt:

  • "That amount of fentanyl shows that Corey Richards wanted Eric not only dead, but good and dead."
    — Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth (04:28)
  • “You never know which one’s right. You second guess everything…especially when you get a conviction.”
    — Defense Attorney Sky Lazzaro (02:36)

• On Witness Coaching:

  • “This letter was probably the single worst thing that could have happened to Corey…reads really problematic.”
    — Defense Attorney Sky Lazzaro (15:12)

• On the Prosecution’s Theory:

  • “Everything she did, she did for attention.”
    — Defense Attorney Sky Lazzaro summarizing prosecution’s closing (24:34)

• On the Defense’s Struggle:

  • “The circumstantial evidence just really, really adds up.”
    — Defense Attorney Sky Lazzaro (21:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• The Guilty Verdict & Defense Strategy – 02:05-03:56
• Motive & Prosecution Closing – 03:56-05:29
• Defense Challenges Evidence – 05:40-07:19
• Testimony of Carmen Lauber – 08:02-11:47
• Digital Evidence & Web Searches – 11:47-13:21
• ‘Walk the Dog’ Letter and Implications – 13:21-16:52
• Affair with Josh Grossman – 17:44-21:28
• The Children’s Book as Evidence – 22:24-25:42
• Sentencing and Next Steps – 25:42-27:43

Conclusion & Implications

The episode ends with discussion about sentencing—scheduled for May 13—with Lazzaro predicting that, given the aggravated murder conviction, Kouri Richins faces at minimum 25 years to life or potentially life without parole. The defense is expected to appeal due to multiple contentious legal rulings during the trial. Eric Richins’ family has expressed relief at the guilty verdict, feeling justice has finally been served.

For further insight, subscribe to 48 Hours+ and stay tuned for follow-up episodes delving deeper into the evidence and aftermath.