Kouri Richins, the Utah woman accused of murdering her husband by poisoning him with a spiked drink and subsequently writing a children's book on grief, allegedly conducted internet searches on her iPhone for lethal doses of fentanyl, life insurance payouts, and lie detector tests, according to a court filing. According to NBC, prosecutors presented the alleged searches in their bid to deny bail to Richins, highlighting her inquiries into topics such as death certificates, lethal doses of fentanyl, and the legality of lie detector tests.
"The most telling among these searches are her queries about how a death caused by poisoning is categorized on a death certificate and what constitutes a lethal dose of fentanyl," the prosecutors wrote.
Alleged Internet Searches Highlight Consciousness of Guilt in Utah Husband Murder Case
According to The US Sun, the court documents do not specify the timing of these searches but state that authorities discovered the iPhone "in the dresser drawer on her side of the bed during the second search of her home on the day she was arrested."
Prosecutors argue that these internet searches demonstrate Richins' awareness of guilt and her plan to hide evidence related to the alleged murder of her husband, Eric Richins, in March 2022.
The court filing also reveals that Richins searched for the home address of the lead detective on the case as well as contact information for a relative of the second lead detective.
The arrest of Kouri Richins took place last month on charges of aggravated murder and three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute after her husband's death in their Kamas home, located approximately 40 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Authorities responded to a 911 call from Richins reporting that she had found her husband unresponsive in their bedroom. Eric Richins was found on the floor at the foot of the bed and was declared dead despite attempts to save him. A subsequent medical examination revealed that he had a dosage of fentanyl in his system that was five times the lethal amount.
According to BBC, Affidavits for search warrants obtained from the Summit County Sheriff's Office indicate that Eric Richins had expressed suspicions that his wife had attempted to poison him multiple times and had informed his family that she would be responsible if anything happened to him. He also reportedly told a friend about his belief that his wife was trying to poison him.
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Defense Challenges Evidence as Prosecutors Argue for Denial of Bail in Utah Murder Case
In response to the prosecution's claims, Richins' defense team argued for her release, stating that there is a lack of substantial evidence supporting the charges. The defense also pointed out conflicting statements made by a witness for the state regarding the purchase of fentanyl pills. However, a judge ruled in favor of the prosecution, denying bail for Richins.
During the court proceedings, Richins' search history on her devices, including inquiries about "luxury prisons for the rich" and information about death certificates, was examined. Family and friends filled the courtroom, and Amy Richins, Eric Richins' sister, delivered a victim impact statement in which she described Kouri Richins as "desperate, greedy, and extremely manipulative." She accused her sister-in-law of intentionally poisoning her brother and expressed the family's pain at witnessing her promote her book while portraying herself as an exceptional mother.
If the case proceeds to trial, it is anticipated that financial and marital disputes will be central to the possible motives. Prosecutors have alleged that Richins made significant changes to the family's estate plans and obtained life insurance policies on her husband, with a total benefit amount of nearly $2 million.
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