Trial reveals text messages about 'fresh start' and Caribbean resort links sent after Eric Richins' March 2022 death
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Text messages about marriage, money and a "fresh start" took center stage in the murder trial of Utah author Kouri Richins, as prosecutors laid out what they say was her plan to move on from her husband and profit from his death.
Richins, 35, is charged with aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder and multiple financial crimes in the March 3, 2022, death of her husband, Eric Richins. Prosecutors allege she poisoned him with a fentanyl-laced Moscow mule so she could collect life insurance money and begin a new life with her boyfriend. She has pleaded not guilty.
During opening statements, Summit County Deputy Attorney Brad Bloodworth read aloud a series of text messages he said were exchanged between Richins and a man identified in court as her boyfriend.
In one message sent the day before Eric’s death, Richins allegedly wrote: "If I was divorced right now and asked you to marry me tomorrow, you would?"
Internet searches recovered from the phone of Kouri Richins, a Utah mother accused of fatally poisoning her husband, are displayed on a screen during her murder trial at the Summit County Courthouse in Park City, Utah, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (Spenser Heaps/AP Photo, Pool)
Weeks earlier, prosecutors said she sent another message: "If he could just go away, and you could just be there, life would be so perfect."
Jurors also heard that 16 days after Eric’s death, Richins allegedly sent her boyfriend a link to a Caribbean resort and wrote, "Are we there yet?" About a month after the death, prosecutors said she texted him, "I think I want you to be my husband one day."
Bloodworth argued the messages reveal Richins’ desire to start over and pointed to what he described as mounting financial pressure.
According to prosecutors, Richins was facing substantial debt and believed she would inherit millions from Eric’s estate if he died. Bloodworth told jurors a prenuptial agreement would have limited what she received in the event of a divorce.
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Body camera video is displayed on a screen during the murder trial of Kouri Richins at the Summit County Courthouse, in Park City, Utah, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (Spenser Heaps/AP Photo, Pool)
"Kouri Richins murdered Eric for his money and to get a fresh start at life," Bloodworth said in court.
Prosecutors also highlighted phone activity from the early morning hours of March 4, 2022.
Bloodworth told jurors Richins first accessed her phone at 3:06 a.m. but did not call 911 until 3:21 a.m.
The state further referenced internet searches conducted after Eric’s death, including: "Can cops uncover deleted messages iPhone?"
Jurors were also told that three money-themed memes — including one that read "I’m rich!" — were accessed on Richins’ phone the morning Eric died.
Prosecutors allege the killing was tied to life insurance proceeds.
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Defense attorney Kathy Nester shows the jury an image of a pill bottle while delivering her opening statement in Kouri Richins' murder trial, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (Spenser Heaps/AP Photo, Pool)
Court documents state Richins purchased multiple life insurance policies totaling nearly $2 million and later changed the beneficiary designation to herself without Eric Richins’ authorization. Authorities say Eric discovered the change and switched the beneficiary back to his business partner.
Investigators also allege Richins intended to use insurance money to complete and flip a roughly $2 million Wasatch County mansion, an investment Eric’s family has said he did not approve of.
Defense attorney Kathryn Nester told jurors Eric struggled with chronic pain and substance use and died from an accidental overdose. In pretrial filings, Richins’ legal team has argued that a key prosecution witness changed their story and that the evidence against her is largely circumstantial.
"No family ever wants to believe that behind closed doors someone you loved is using drugs," Nester said during opening statements.
