Episode Summary: Going West Episode 596 — Kouri Richins: Killer Turned Author (April 3, 2026)

Overview

In this episode, hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman revisit the chilling case of Kouri Richins, a Utah mother and real estate agent who was recently convicted of murdering her husband Eric Richins. The episode provides a comprehensive recounting of their tumultuous marriage, financial misdeeds, the events leading up to Eric's death by fentanyl poisoning, and the jaw-dropping aftermath—including Kouri’s attempt to brand herself as a grief author for children. The hosts emphasize the new details uncovered during the explosive 2026 trial and its aftermath, painting a full portrait of deception, premeditation, and the fallout for the Richins family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: Eric Richins’ Life and First Marriage ([03:44]–[07:32])

• Eric’s upbringing and values: Born in Bountiful, Utah; raised in a Mormon family with a strong work ethic; loved sports and the outdoors.
• First marriage to Julie Jorgensen: Young love soured by financial disputes due to lack of a prenup; Eric lost much of his earnings. Julie later died tragically in a car accident, leaving Eric heartbroken but more cautious about financial matters in future relationships.
  • “Eric’s takeaway from his marriage was just to be more careful with his financial assets going forward...” (Daphne, [06:31])

2. Meeting Kouri Corey Darden and Marriage ([07:32]–[10:52])

• Chance meeting at Home Depot: Corey’s charm wins Eric over; dating progresses rapidly after Corey becomes pregnant.
• Prenup conflict: At Eric’s mother’s urging, Corey signs a prenup before their 2013 wedding, fostering resentment she never got over.
• Family life and prosperity: Three boys (Carter, Weston, Ashton); both successful professionally—Eric in stone masonry, Corey in real estate house-flipping.

3. Mounting Tensions: Financial Mismanagement and Betrayal ([10:52]–[16:24])

• Corey’s reckless spending: Chronic overspending, unauthorized lines of credit, and theft from Eric’s accounts.
• Escalating deceit: Corey secretly opens multiple life insurance policies on Eric, caught due to a fraudulent Social Security number entry.
• Eric’s precautions: He consults a divorce attorney and changes his will and beneficiary designations to exclude Corey, favoring his sisters and children.
  • “Behind Corey’s back, he also met with an estate planner and switched his beneficiary from Corey to his sisters Amy and Katie.” (Daphne, [13:16])

4. The Midway Mansion: Financial Overreach and Marital Strain ([16:24]–[18:46])

• Corey insists on purchasing a notorious “unfinished mansion,” despite Eric’s objections—closing a risky $3M deal.
• Night of Eric’s death: To celebrate, Corey makes Moscow mules; Eric consumes a drink before Corey leaves to tend to a child with a nightmare. Hours later, she claims to find him unresponsive ([17:51]–[19:21]).

5. Suspicious Death and Immediate Aftermath ([19:21]–[25:30])

• Eric found dead at 39: Initially labeled an aneurysm, later determined as fentanyl poisoning—5x lethal dose, not medical-grade.

• Family confrontation: Eric’s sisters quickly grow suspicious after Corey aggressively tries to gain access to Eric’s safe and will just two days after his death.

  • “Amy was furious at her meddling in his money again and what she perceived as ill-timed greed...” (Daphne, [22:54])

• Violence and legal disputes: Corey physically assaults Eric’s sister Amy in a heated dispute over the will ([23:55]–[24:18]).

6. The Shocking Autopsy & Expanding Investigation ([25:30]–[37:21])

• Autopsy reveals fentanyl overdose ([25:30]–[33:10]).
• Suspicious history: Eric’s sisters report multiple prior incidents where Eric suspected Corey of trying to poison him—including a violent illness while traveling in Greece and an allergic reaction to a Valentine’s sandwich weeks before his death.
  • "If something happens to me, check out Corey. I think she’s trying to kill me.” (Daphne, [33:54])

7. Corey’s Financial Fallout and Attempted Rebranding as an Author ([38:08]–[45:15])

• Lawsuits and further financial ruin: Corey’s mishandling of real estate deals damages multiple other families; by Eric’s death, she was $1.6 million in debt.

• Writing a children’s book: Corey self-publishes a children's grief book, Are You With Me?, claiming she wrote it with her sons—but it later emerges she used a ghostwriter.

  • Memorable TV appearance: Awkward Good Things Utah interview ([42:11]–[45:02]):
    • “So my husband passed away unexpectedly last year...I kind of wrote this book on the different emotions and grieving processes that we’ve experienced...” (Corey Richins, [42:11])
  • Audience and investigators react: Anonymous email to TV hosts: “YOU KNOW SHE KILLED HER HUSBAND.” ([45:15])

8. Break in the Case: Connecting with the Fentanyl Supplier ([49:41]–[51:07])

• Private investigator Todd Gabler’s pivotal role: Uncovers Corey’s repeated contact with cleaning lady Carmen Lauber—a convicted felon and drug dealer.

• Carmen’s confession: Admits to twice selling fentanyl to Corey and claims Corey complained the first batch wasn’t strong enough.

  • “She admitted to selling fentanyl to Corey on two separate occasions and claimed...Corey said that it hadn't been strong enough.” (Heath, [50:19])

• Corey’s arrest: May 8, 2023, just after her TV book tour.

9. The Trial: Testimony, Evidence, and Verdict ([56:04]–[61:45])

• Prosecution builds airtight case: Cell phone data show Corey deleted key texts immediately after Eric’s death; troubling Google searches include “What is a lethal dose of fentanyl?” and “Luxury prisons for the rich in America” ([53:21]).

• Drug dealer and accomplice testify: Carmen receives immunity in exchange for evidence.

• Affair uncovered: Lover Josh Grossman testifies about their relationship and Corey’s dream to “come up with millions” after Eric’s death.

  • “I have a crazy dream. I divorce and come up with millions and millions. We buy Midway and live in the guest house and rent out the huge house as an event center...” (Corey, text to Josh, [59:22])
  • Premeditation confirmed: Evidence of planning to poison Eric and benefit from his death.

• Defense calls no witnesses; Corey does not testify. Jury deliberates only three hours.

10. Verdict and Aftermath ([61:45]–[62:34])

• March 16, 2026: Corey Richins found guilty of first-degree murder, plus charges including possession with intent to distribute, attempted murder, fraud, and more.
• Sentencing scheduled for Eric’s birthday; family expresses relief and deep sadness at the tragedy's impact, especially on the couple’s three sons, now adopted by Eric’s sister.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Behind Corey’s back, he also met with an estate planner and switched his beneficiary from Corey to his sisters Amy and Katie.” (Daphne, [13:16])
• “If something happens to me, check out Corey. I think she's trying to kill me.” (Eric to his sisters, paraphrased by Daphne, [33:54])
• “She admitted to selling fentanyl to Corey on two separate occasions and claimed...Corey said it hadn't been strong enough.” (Heath, [50:19])
• “YOU KNOW SHE KILLED HER HUSBAND.” (anonymous email to TV hosts after Corey’s appearance, [45:15])
• “I have a crazy dream. I divorce and come up with millions and millions...” (Corey’s text to lover Josh, [59:22])
• “There is no luxury prison for the rich in America.” (Heath, referencing Corey’s wild online search, [54:14])
• “The jury deliberated for only three hours and on March 16th of 2026...Corey was found guilty of murdering her husband Eric.” (Heath, [61:38])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:44] — Eric Richins’ life and first marriage; warning signals about financial security
• [07:32] — Corey Darden (Richins) enters the picture; prenup controversy
• [10:52] — Corey’s escalating financial misdeeds and Eric’s protective maneuvers
• [16:24] — The disastrous “unfinished mansion” deal and events leading to Eric's death
• [19:21] — The night of Eric’s death: timeline and Corey's suspicious account
• [22:42] — Corey’s attempt to break into Eric’s safe and will; family feud
• [25:30] — Autopsy reveals fentanyl poisoning; family alarm
• [33:10] — Eric’s warnings he thought Corey wanted to kill him
• [38:08] — Corey’s failed house flips and financial ruin
• [41:21] — Corey publishes children’s grief book; TV interview [42:11]
• [49:41] — Investigation targets drug source, Carmen Lauber
• [50:31] — Carmen’s testimony: selling fentanyl to Corey
• [53:09] — Corey’s incriminating online searches and efforts to cover her tracks
• [56:04] — The 2026 trial: arguments, witnesses, and evidence
• [59:22] — Affair with Josh Grossman; core premeditation quote
• [61:45] — Guilty verdict; family’s aftermath

Tone, Language & Host Dynamic

The hosts keep a conversational yet highly engaged tone throughout. Daphne and Heath often alternate between incredulity, outrage, and empathetic commentary—calling out Corey’s actions as “so sus,” “shady,” and “truly evil.” They directly address the audience’s likely reactions and supplement their retelling with hypothetical asides (“Imagine being him and realizing that...”). The language is accessible and occasionally witty or biting, especially in critiquing Corey’s missteps and deceptions.

Summary Takeaway

This episode offers a meticulous, gripping narrative that threads together financial manipulation, premeditated murder, and the disturbing aftermath in which Kouri Richins tried to recast herself as a grieving widow and children’s author. New revelations from the 2026 trial cement her guilt and provide closure for Eric’s family, while the story stands as a cautionary tale about trust, greed, and the devastating ripple effects of violence.