Crime House 24/7 — Night Watch: Real Estate Agent Accused of Murdering Her Husband

Host: Katie Ring
Date: February 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This Night Watch episode, hosted by Katie Ring, delves into the high-profile case of Corey Richins, a Utah real estate agent and children's book author, accused of killing her husband, Eric Richins, with a lethal dose of fentanyl in 2022. The episode unpacks the timeline of their marriage, the financial and marital troubles that set the stage, the evidence that led to Corey's arrest, and the unfolding courtroom developments, including allegations of witness intimidation and mounting legal battles. Katie navigates the facts, evidence, and ongoing questions, providing listeners with the story as it stands on the verge of trial.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Eric Richins’ Death & Immediate Aftermath

• Timeline of Events
  • March 3, 2022: Eric, 39, celebrates his wife's home-flipping success with a Moscow mule at home in Camas, Utah.
  • Corey claims she left the bedroom to tend to their son Ashton’s night terrors. When she returned, Eric was cold and unresponsive.
  • 3:21 a.m.: Corey calls 911, attempts CPR. Eric is pronounced dead at the scene, initially treated as natural causes due to no signs of trauma.
    [02:44–04:21]
• Children’s Book Release
  • In the months after Eric’s death, Corey authored "Are You With Me?"—a children’s book about grief, presenting herself as a grieving widow and single mom.
    [02:44–04:21]

2. Background: The Richins' Marriage and Financial Strains

• Courtship and Marriage
  • Met in Home Depot in 2009; married in 2013. Three sons: Carter, Ashton, and Weston.
• Prenuptial and Financial Moves
  • Eric’s company designated as his sole property in prenup, unless he died.
  • 2015–2017: Corey takes out several life insurance policies on Eric totaling $1.3M+, naming herself beneficiary.
    [05:17–06:11]
  • 2019: Corey uses power of attorney for $250k home equity loan on Eric’s home (without his knowledge) to fund her realty business.
  • 2020–2021: Real estate business accumulates high-interest debt; check fraud and misuse of funds begin. Eric creates a living trust, removes Corey as a beneficiary after discovering questionable financial activities.
    [06:11–07:48]
• Ominous Incidents
  • Greece trip (2019–2021): Eric falls violently ill after a drink—calls his sister, suspects poisoning.
  • 2022 Valentine’s: Corey brings Eric a sandwich and love note. Eric has a severe allergic reaction, texting a friend, "I think my wife tried to poison me."
    • Notable Quote:
      • Eric to friend: “I think my wife tried to poison me.” [Quoted by Katie Ring at 09:45]
    • Text to Corey: “I'm gonna go lay down for a bit. If I don't start getting better, I'm gonna head to the hospital.”
      Corey responds: “Geez, it's that bad? Need me to come home?” [09:50]

3. Suspicious Death and Criminal Investigation

• Toxicology Report
  • Eric’s autopsy discovers five times the lethal dose of fentanyl.
  • Family and friends state Eric was not a drug user; death considered highly suspicious.
    [10:20–11:43]
• Financial Collapse After Death
  • Corey was facing imminent company collapse; Eric’s death accelerated loan defaults due to “cross-default” clauses and surging obligations ($5M+ owed days after his death).
    [10:53–11:43]
• Physical Altercation
  • After Eric’s death, sibling Amy asserts claim on property per trust; Corey responds violently.
    [11:43–12:41]

4. Charges, Forensic Evidence & Digital Trail

• Arrest and Initial Charges
  • May 8, 2023: Corey arrested, charged with aggravated murder and drug distribution.
    [13:46–14:22]
• Key Evidence
  • Corey’s housekeeper, Carmen, allegedly procured fentanyl for her at Corey’s request.
  • Phone records reveal deleted messages between Corey and Carmen leading up to and following Eric’s death.
  • Notable Google Searches:
    • “Luxury prisons for the rich in America”
    • “How long does life insurance companies take to pay?”
    • “What is considered a lethal dose of fentanyl?”
      [15:15–15:49]
      • Katie’s Comment: “In my favorite idiotic criminal trend, she made some extremely incriminating Google searches.” [15:15]
• Motive
  • Financial collapse, insurance policies, and evidence of a new relationship (texts: “If he could just go away, life would be so perfect.” [16:48])

5. Defense, Prosecution, and Mounting Charges

• Recantation Twist
  • Key state witness, Robert Crozier, recants statement about selling fentanyl, claiming he sold OxyContin, not fentanyl, to Carmen. Defense calls this a “potential grenade in the state’s theory.” [17:53–18:35]
  • Judge rules prosecution’s case is not dependent on Crozier alone; Corey remains in custody.
    [18:35]
• Additional Charges
  • June 2025: Over two dozen new federal charges including money laundering and forgery. These are to be tried separately from the murder trial.
    [18:45–19:45]

6. Pre-Trial Drama: Witness Intimidation Allegations

• January 2026 Defense Motion
  • Corey’s attorneys accuse prosecutors and investigators of witness intimidation and improper coercion.
    • Lead detective allegedly texts witness:

      “...Otherwise, the next time I knock on your door, I’ll have a warrant and a catch pole for the dog.” [22:15]

    • Investigator warns another witness immunity could be withdrawn without further cooperation.
  • Defense contends this crosses into prohibited conduct under Utah law, requests the judge to order disclosure of all such communications.
    [21:42–24:35]

7. Awaiting Trial: What Comes Next

• Upcoming Trial
  • Corey's trial set to run February 23–March 26, 2026 (further delays possible). [24:15–25:25]
  • Prosecution to focus on intent, motive, opportunity; defense to emphasize alternate explanations, recantation, and alleged coercion.
• Public and Family Response
  • Eric’s family keeps a low profile, emphasizing his legacy as a devoted father. Katie notes the book’s awkward centrality: once proof of Corey’s grief, now a crucial part of the narrative, though not actual evidence. [25:30–26:25]
• Ongoing Mystery
  • Host reflects on the case’s transformation from personal heartbreak to state-wide headline, reminding listeners:

    “Some answers take years to surface, and in the case of Corey Richins, the truth of that night has yet to fully emerge.” [26:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Eric’s Suspicion:
  • “I think my wife tried to poison me.” — Eric, quoted by Katie Ring [09:45]
• Suspicious Google Searches:
  • “In my favorite idiotic criminal trend, she made some extremely incriminating Google searches.” — Katie Ring [15:15]
• Prosecutor’s Alleged Text Threat:
  • “Otherwise, the next time I knock on your door, I’ll have a warrant and a catch pole for the dog.” — Detective Jeff O’Driscoll, as quoted in defense motion [22:15]
• Host Reflection:
  • “Some answers take years to surface, and in the case of Corey Richins, the truth of that night has yet to fully emerge.” — Katie Ring [26:12]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [02:44] — Start of case breakdown: Eric Richins’ death, initial grief, Corey’s children’s book
• [05:17] — Timeline: meeting, marriage, prenuptial, life insurance policies, financial moves
• [09:45] — Eric’s alleged poisoning in Greece and again on Valentine’s Day
• [10:20] — Toxicology report: revelation of fentanyl
• [13:46] — Arrest and overview of criminal charges
• [15:15] — Discovery of incriminating Google searches
• [16:48] — Corey’s texts to new romantic interest
• [17:53] — Defense witness recants, implications for prosecution
• [18:45] — New federal charges revealed
• [21:42] — Defense motion: allegations of prosecution witness intimidation
• [24:15] — Trial schedule and summary of what’s ahead
• [25:30] — Reflection on family, public narrative, and the role of Corey’s book
• [26:12] — Closing statement: the evolving search for truth

Conclusion

Katie Ring’s Night Watch episode provides a thorough, suspenseful narrative of the Corey Richins case, unpacking not just the steps from family tragedy to criminal accusation, but the tangled web of financial pressures, alleged premeditation, and the complications of the legal process. The story stands as a chilling, ongoing mystery: a case still very much unfolding in the courts—and the public’s imagination.