Kouri Richins sentenced in husband's fentanyl-laced cocktail murder

U.S. Kouri Richins sentenced to life without parole in husband's fentanyl-laced cocktail murder By Melissa Gaffney, Melissa Gaffney Deputy Managing Editor Melissa Gaffney is a deputy managing editor for CBSNews.com. Read Full Bio Melissa Gaffney, The Associated Press, Jordan Freiman, Jordan Freiman News Editor Jordan Freiman is a news editor for CBSNews.com. He covers breaking news, trending stories, sports and crime. Jordan has previously worked at Spin and Death and Taxes. Read Full Bio Jordan Freiman, Emily Mae Czachor Emily Mae Czachor News Editor Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She typically covers breaking news, extreme weather and issues involving social justice. Emily Mae previously wrote for outlets like the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek. Read Full Bio Emily Mae Czachor May 13, 2026 / 4:23 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Kouri Richins, the Utah mother found guilty of murdering her husband with a fentanyl-laced cocktail, was sentenced on Wednesday, his birthday, to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Richins, 36, notoriously wrote a children's book about grief after her husband's death in 2022. Utah district court Judge Richard Mrazik handed down the sentence after presiding over Richins' criminal trial.The prosecution consistently sought a sentence of life without parole, mainly leaning on the argument that Richins' children "should never worry they will one day encounter her." The defense, conversely, pushed for a sentence with the possibility of parole.Richins, who did not testify during the trial, spoke for roughly 30 minutes on Wednesday, mainly addressing her children. "I know today you don't want to speak to me and you hate me. That's OK. When you are ready, I will be here for you," she said.Richins was convicted in March of multiple felony charges, including aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder. Prosecutors said she served her late husband, Eric Richins, a Moscow...