Podcast Summary

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: A Children's Grief Author on Trial... for Murdering the Father of her Children
Date: February 21, 2026
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes delve into the upcoming trial of Corey Richens, a Utah mother of three and children’s grief book author, who is accused of murdering her husband, Eric Richens. The twist: Corey authored a book to help children deal with the loss of a parent, which prosecutors allege she did after killing her own husband for financial gain and to pursue another relationship. The hosts analyze the timeline, evidence, and public reaction to this high-profile true crime case, offering context before the trial commences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Introduction and The Surreal Premise

• The episode centers around Corey Richens, the accused, who penned Are You With Me?—a book for grieving children—shortly after her husband’s death (03:28).
  • “It reads like a true crime novel… truth is stranger than fiction.” — Amy Robach (02:52)
• The alleged crime took place in 2022 near Park City, Utah; the trial is set to begin in February 2026 (04:08).
• The hosts underscore the shocking coincidence of the book’s publication on parental grief and Corey’s arrest for her husband’s murder.

2. Timeline and Allegations

• Eric Richens died in 2022 from alleged fentanyl poisoning; Corey was charged weeks after publishing her book in 2023 (03:55).
• Prosecutors claim she bought fentanyl from the family’s housekeeper weeks before the fatal dose and had attempted to poison Eric previously (04:37).
  • “And this wasn’t the first time… According to police, she tried to kill her husband before.” — Amy Robach (04:37)
• Motive: Prosecutors argue it was financial—prenuptial agreements, life insurance policies, and nearly $2 million in personal debt are cited (06:25, 06:47).
  • “He was, as they put it, better off dead to her than he was divorced.” — Amy Robach (05:43)

3. Detailed Evidence Presented

• Fentanyl acquired from housekeeper; fatal dose was five times the legal limit (04:08).
• She allegedly tried to poison Eric on Valentine’s Day 2022 by spiking his favorite sandwich, which caused an allergic reaction—he survived by using his son’s EpiPen and Benadryl (07:51).
  • “He told someone, I think my wife tried to poison me.” — TJ Holmes (07:51)
• Life insurance policies taken out unbeknownst to Eric, naming Corey the beneficiary (06:47).
• Eric had been preparing to divorce Corey, moving assets into a trust (09:39).

4. Public Persona vs. Alleged Reality

• Corey was celebrated locally as a resilient mother writing for grieving families, even as homicide suspicions loomed (15:29).
  • “She was hailed as someone who was bouncing back from this tragedy… then record scratch—she’s charged with murdering her husband.” — Amy Robach (15:29)
• The book, now widely condemned and review-bombed (1.71 stars on Amazon), becomes almost surreal in retrospect (15:54).
  • “A heartwarming and reassuring book… written by a loving mother who personally faced this challenge.” — Amy Robach reading from the book’s blurb (16:39)
  • “Every word of that could be true, right?” — TJ Holmes (16:39)

5. Defense and Upcoming Trial

• Corey’s attorneys maintain her innocence, claiming media narratives don’t reflect the truth (18:02).
  • “Corey has waited nearly three years for this moment, the opportunity to have the facts of this case heard by a jury, free from the prosecution’s narrative…” (18:02)
• The implied defense: Eric had a fentanyl addiction and his death was accidental, not murder (19:07).
  • “She’s going to say that this was just an accidental overdose, that this was not something that she perpetrated.” — Amy Robach (19:07)
• The trial is expected to last approximately five weeks, with public and media scrutiny anticipated to be intense (19:56).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That is pretty creepy if you’re the one who now is charged with making someone an angel by killing them viciously.” — Amy Robach on the book’s premise (03:28)
• “Isn’t that something where they say for women… the most dangerous time is when they decide to leave? It’s weird to think about this… the clock is ticking.” — TJ Holmes, reflecting on divorce timing and risk (10:04)
• “To double down and have the audacity to try and profit off being this good Samaritan, loving mother… if you’re actually a vicious, cold-hearted killer… That is crazy to think about.” — Amy Robach (16:49)
• “She claims she is innocent. Thirty-five-year-old woman says she just wants to go back home to her children. We, of course, will follow all of the details.” — Amy Robach (19:59)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 01:57 — Episode’s content begins with trial setup and case summary.
• 03:16–04:08 — Discussion about the book, timing of publication, and arrest.
• 04:37–07:21 — Breakdown of prosecution’s evidence: fentanyl purchases, past poisoning attempts, prenuptial motive.
• 07:51–10:04 — Analysis of Eric’s prior suspicion; Valentine’s Day poisoning attempt; divorce preparations.
• 15:29–17:22 — Social and community reaction to the story, focus on the book’s changed perception.
• 18:02–19:07 — Corey Richards' legal team’s public statement and hints at the defense strategy.
• 19:48–19:59 — Trial setup and anticipated proceedings.

Closing Thoughts

Amy and T.J. position the episode as necessary context before the trial begins, aiming to provide both the “sensational” facts and the legal presumption of innocence. The power of narrative—both in Corey’s book and in the prosecution’s case—forms a thematic undercurrent, as the hosts reflect on the impossibility of truly knowing what someone is capable of, and the chilling overlap between real life and true crime fiction. The series pledges continued coverage throughout the trial’s duration.