Moscow Mule Murder: Mom’s DEADLY Cocktail Recipe

A Utah mother who wrote a children’s book about grief now faces murder charges for allegedly poisoning her husband with a lethal dose of fentanyl hidden in a Moscow Mule cocktail—a case that exposes the dark intersection of financial desperation, deception, and the exploitation of tragedy.

Story Snapshot

Kouri Richins, 35, stands trial for allegedly murdering her husband Eric with five times the lethal dose of fentanyl in March 2022
Prosecutors claim $4.5 million in debt and $2 million in secret life insurance policies drove her to kill for financial gain
Richins published a children’s grief book after her husband’s death, which prosecutors argue was an elaborate cover-up
Defense challenges witness credibility and notes no fentanyl was found in the home, suggesting accidental opioid overdose

The Calculated Plot: Moscow Mule as Murder Weapon

Kouri Richins allegedly laced her husband Eric’s Moscow Mule with approximately five times the lethal dose of fentanyl on March 4, 2022, at their Summit County, Utah home. Prosecutors claim this was not her first attempt—she allegedly tried poisoning Eric on Valentine’s Day 2022 with a fentanyl-laced sandwich that caused him to break out in hives and black out. The Moscow Mule method represents a chilling level of premeditation, using a celebratory drink to deliver a deadly substance while maintaining the appearance of normalcy.

Financial Desperation and Secret Insurance Policies

Summit County Prosecutor Brad Bloodworth presented evidence showing Richins was drowning in $4.5 million of debt with a negative bank account balance and creditors suing her. She had secretly opened multiple life insurance policies on Eric totaling nearly $2 million without his knowledge, falsely believing she would inherit his estate worth over $4 million. This financial motive reveals a disturbing pattern of deception where Richins allegedly attempted to maintain a facade of affluence and success while planning to cash in on her husband’s death—a scheme fundamentally at odds with traditional family values.

The Grief Book Deception

Months after Eric’s death, Richins self-published “Are You with Me?” a children’s book about grief and loss, promoting it on local television and radio stations. Prosecutors argue this publication was part of an elaborate cover-up designed to create a sympathetic public image and deflect suspicion. The calculated exploitation of her children’s genuine grief to market a book while allegedly responsible for causing that grief demonstrates a level of manipulation that should outrage anyone who values family integrity and honest parenting.

Defense Challenges Prosecution’s Theory

The defense team counters the prosecution narrative by attacking the credibility of Carmen Lauber, the family housekeeper who claims she sold fentanyl to Richins. Defense attorneys note that Lauber’s drug dealer was in jail and detoxing when he allegedly sold her the fentanyl, later recanting and stating he only sold OxyContin. Critically, no fentanyl was found anywhere in the Richins home despite allegations of multiple poisoning attempts. The defense presents evidence that Eric was dependent on painkillers and had requested his wife procure opioids for him, suggesting accidental overdose rather than intentional murder.

The trial, which began with opening statements on February 24, 2026, is expected to conclude March 26, 2026. Key witnesses including housekeeper Carmen Lauber and Robert Josh Grossman, Richins’ alleged affair partner with whom she texted about leaving her husband and gaining millions in divorce, are expected to testify. The case highlights serious questions about life insurance fraud—particularly policies taken without beneficiary knowledge—and represents yet another example of how financial irresponsibility and moral decay can destroy families. Richins’ mother maintains her daughter’s innocence, stating she is “a hundred percent” certain Kouri could not have committed this crime. The jury faces the difficult task of weighing circumstantial financial evidence against the absence of physical proof.