Dateline NBC: “Book of Lies”
Original Air Date: April 28, 2026
Host: Lester Holt / Andrea Canning
Theme: The double life of Corey Richins—author, widow, and ultimately, accused (and convicted) murderer of her husband Eric, in a tale of secrets, financial desperation, and a children's grief book masking a darker reality.
Episode Overview
This episode tracks the stunning rise and fall of Corey Richins, a Utah wife and mother, after the mysterious death of her husband, Eric Richins. Initially perceived as a grieving widow who penned a children’s book to help her sons cope, Corey’s story unravels in spectacular fashion—revealing secrets, financial peril, lies, and ultimately, her conviction for Eric’s murder via fentanyl poisoning. The episode intricately details Eric’s death, the family’s suspicions, the police investigation, legal battles, and the courtroom drama that led to justice for Eric’s family.
Key Discussion Points & Timeline
1. Eric's Sudden Death
- [01:01–15:00]
- Incident: On March 4, 2022, Corey Richins reports finding her husband Eric cold and unresponsive in bed after a night spent separately with their children and “celebrating” work success.
- Initial Response: Paramedics and law enforcement see no clear cause—Eric had seemed healthy (“strong as an ox” [00:13]), local friends stunned.
- Family’s Grief: The family is devastated and confused by the loss of Eric at just 39 years old.
Notable Quote:
- “He didn’t just die in his sleep. This is insane.” – Corey Richins, [08:05]
2. Portrait of a “Perfect” Family—and Hidden Tensions
- [10:05–14:36]
- Courtship: Corey and Eric’s romance began at Home Depot, quickly leading to marriage and children.
- Financial Success & Ambition: Eric’s masonry business booms; Corey flips homes, eyes a $3.75M “Midway Mansion.”
- Corey’s Challenging Past: Corey grew up moving frequently; her father was incarcerated; she seeks stability through marriage and children.
- Strains: Behind the idyll, financial secrets fester—Eric and Corey are keeping things from each other; family rifts grow over asset protection.
Notable Quote:
- “Almost every one of them were [interested in Corey].” – Linda King, [10:48]
- “The betrayal is remarkable and unique.” – Narrator, [07:38]
3. Eric’s Death: Suspicions, Investigation, and a Shocking Autopsy
- [22:01–28:00]
- Unanswered Questions: Autopsy reveals fentanyl in Eric’s system—over five times a lethal dose, pure street fentanyl.
- No Drug History: Friends, family, and colleagues adamant that Eric was not a drug user.
- Escalating Suspicion: Search warrants issued—no fentanyl or paraphernalia found at home. Investigators grow suspicious of Corey’s story.
Notable Quotes:
- “Eric has fentanyl in his body—more than five times a lethal amount.” – Interviewer, [01:35]
- “He wasn’t really known as some type of drug user in the community.” – Interviewer, [25:10]
- “It’s pretty evident that Eric has fentanyl in his body, which is an absolute, a game changer for this investigation.” – Former Det. Wayne Nichols, [24:11]
4. Corey’s Children’s Book & Public Persona
- [30:14–34:53]
- Book Launch: Corey self-publishes Are You With Me?, about a father as a guardian angel; promotes it on TV; aims to comfort her sons.
- Media Blitz: Corey appears as a grieving, inspirational mother.
- Rumors Begin: TV hosts and local reporters receive anonymous tips: “You know, she killed her husband.”
- Discrepancies Surface: Corey gave inconsistent stories about Eric’s cause of death.
Notable Moment:
- “Did you know that she is a suspect in the murder of her husband?” – Anonymous message to TV station, [30:41]
5. Family Feud & Financial Deceit
- [17:51–21:19]
- Trust and Assets: After Eric's death, Corey discovers Eric set up a trust excluding her from family assets; altercations ensue.
- Corey’s Financial Motive: Evidence emerges of Corey’s debt, forgery, and resentment over losing the “Midway Mansion” deal.
- Lawsuits: Corey sues Eric’s sister Katie (trust executor), escalating family tension.
Notable Quote:
- “They're taking my house, Bryce. This is my damn house.” – Corey, phone call after Eric’s death, [20:27]
6. Police Pursue Clues: The Housekeeper Connection
- [46:29–54:45]
- Text Trail: 800 deleted texts between Corey and her housekeeper, Carmen Lauber—who has a serious drug history.
- Crucial Testimony: Under pressure, Carmen admits Corey repeatedly asked her to get “Michael Jackson stuff” (code for lethal drugs) for a “real estate investor.”
- Drug Delivery: Drugs left in a home fire pit; traced to Carmen’s supplier, Robert Crozier.
- Arrest: Corey is finally arrested, media frenzy ensues.
Notable Quotes:
- “Carmen said Corey wanted the Michael Jackson stuff.” – Interviewer, [53:05]
- “Corey Richins is here in the Summit county jail tonight. We're told she is being held without bail.” – [54:45]
7. The Courtroom Drama: Trial, Testimonies & Revelations
- [58:14–83:47]
- Prosecution’s Case:
- Motive: Corey’s overwhelming debt, life insurance, and brewing affair (with employee Josh Grossman).
- Evidence: Digital forensics (searches on fentanyl and “luxury prisons”), testimony from Josh and Carmen; allegations of forgery, fraud, and premeditated attempts (including the Valentine's Day sandwich & drinks).
- Children’s book theory: A cynical attempt to profit from tragedy.
- Defense:
- Argues lack of physical evidence—no fentanyl found in the home, challenges Carmen’s credibility, suggests Eric could have used unknown drugs.
- Points to Corey’s earlier searches as post-facto and motivated by curiosity for her legal situation.
- No witnesses called by the defense; relies on cross-examination of state witnesses.
- Jury Deliberation:
- Rapid verdict—“shaking, trembling” Corey as she's found guilty on all counts.
- Prosecution’s Case:
Notable Quotes:
- “How to completely wipe an iPhone clean remotely. Can cops uncover deleted messages? Luxury prisons for the rich in America. Signs of being under FBI investigation. What is a legal dose of fentanyl?” – Listing Corey’s web searches, [63:49]
- “Do you solemnly swear the testimony you’re about to give… is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?” – Judge to Josh Grossman, [68:46]
- “We, the jury unanimously find that the defendant, Corey Richins is guilty of aggravated murder.” – Court, [84:28]
8. Aftermath and Reflections
- [85:17–87:13]
- Corey’s Fate: Awaiting sentencing; faces life in prison, additional fraud charges pending.
- Family Statement: Eric’s family expresses relief and a focus on Eric’s memory and the boys’ future.
- Children’s Welfare: Corey’s children live with Eric’s relatives; her book goes out of print.
- Community Reactions: Friends and community members express a blend of sadness and closure.
Notable Quotes:
- “Eric was just a simple, good guy, you know, and his kids don’t have a dad, you know, and that’s the part that hits me hard ... but it’s not fair.” – Gabe Morin, [87:28]
Memorable Moments & Quotes
-
On Corey’s Webinar Persona:
“How in the world can you come on live TV, put yourself in the spotlight, want publicity for your product, and tell us that the most important thing to you is to keep his memory alive each and every day?” – Interviewer, [55:19] -
The Affair:
“During that time, did you feel that she loved you? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I think she did.” – Josh Grossman, [69:25] -
Prosecution’s Motive Statement:
“More than anything, she wanted his money. To perpetuate her facade of privilege, affluence, and success.” – Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth, [65:33]
Jury Insights
- Assessment: Jury moved quickly to a guilty verdict, citing digital evidence and credible corroboration of Carmen's testimony.
- Key Factors:
- “Frankly, her testimony combined with the digital evidence of her travels, really corroborated her testimony.” – Juror, [82:25]
- “Every time I tried to give her a lifeline or an off ramp, it just ended, and it just pointed right back to her.” – Juror Mark, [83:47]
Conclusion
“Book of Lies” offers a gripping, tragic, and ultimately cathartic examination of the Richins case, peeling back the mask of a family in crisis, a mother’s duplicity, and a justice system’s pursuit to uncover the truth behind a façade built on love—but doomed by greed, deceit, and murder.