Presenting “Kouri Richins: The Children’s Author Who Killed Her Husband” from RedHanded

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

Hi, it's Kate and Paul. Today, we're sharing an episode of the award-winning podcast, RedHanded. Hosted by Suruthi Bala and Hannah Maguire, RedHanded is the UK's number one true crime podcast. RedHanded unpacks the world's wildest murders, cults, disappearances, and criminal conspiracies. It has the perfect mix of razor sharp research, dark humor, and the kind of chemistry that makes you feel like you're sitting in on the conversation.

SPEAKER_2 (0:25)

In this episode, Suruthi and Hannah kick off part one of a two-part series diving into the case of Kouri Richins, a Utah mother who published a children's book about grief after her husband Eric died in what was ruled an accidental overdose. Just a month after appearing on local TV to promote it, Kouri was arrested and charged with murdering Eric herself. Was she a grieving wife trying to rebuild her family's life? Or a black widow who plotted to poison her husband for his money?

This is exactly the kind of deeply reported investigation RedHanded does best.

SPEAKER_1 (1:00)

If you want to hear part two of this case, make sure to follow RedHanded on your favorite podcast app and tell them we sent you.

SPEAKER_2 (1:07)

Now, here's the episode.

Suruthi Bala (1:20)

In April 2023, a 33-year-old woman named Kouri Richins was invited onto Good Things Utah, a segment on Salt Lake City, ABC.

She was there to promote her new book, Are You With Me? It was for children to help them cope with the loss of a parent. Kouri explained that she and her three boys had written the book together to process the grief they had all endured after losing her husband and their father, Eric Richins, a year before.

SPEAKER_4 (1:47)

Joining us now is author of Are You With Me? Kouri Richins to share her three Cs to helping kids cope with grief. And Kouri, I want to start with your story. What happened in your personal life?

Kouri Richins (2:00)

So my husband passed away unexpectedly last year. So it's March 4th was a one year anniversary for us and he was 39 It completely took us all by shock.

Hannah Maguire (2:13)

Everyone had been shocked that 39-year-old Eric had died so suddenly. But for Kouri, the real shock was yet to come.

Because one month after this TV appearance, Kouri Richins was arrested for being a terrible writer, but mostly the murder of her husband, Eric.

Suruthi Bala (2:38)

Yeah, man. This case is pretty wild. I have been following this story for years. When I was writing the script, I was like, has it been years? It has been years. It has been years. It was the rest in 2023 I was like, oh my God, this case has been going on for such a long time. Last week, in March 2026, Kouri Richins was convicted.

But did the jury get it right?

Given that they deliberated for barely three hours on five charges including aggravated murder, some people aren't so sure. I'm not one of those people, but some people aren't so sure.

Hannah Maguire (3:19)

Well, some people think we owe Casey Anthony an apology.

Suruthi Bala (3:22)

Some people are going to be wrong. Be wrong. Sometimes it should be like that.

But the trial, whatever you think about the outcome, certainly delivered when it came to drama. It was just as shocking as I expected it to be in a case about a woman who allegedly murdered her husband to get her hands on his millions, to run off with her lover, not to mention then publish a children's book about grief to cash in yet further. A book, as the trial revealed, she didn't even write.

Hannah Maguire (3:54)

Books are hard.

Suruthi Bala (3:55)

They are hard, but no one made you do it, Kouri. No one made you do it except your greed.

Hannah Maguire (4:02)

Was the book called Grief Greed?

Suruthi Bala (4:04)

That was the working title and then her ghostwriter was like, no, no, no. But I'm Suruthi.

Hannah Maguire (4:10)

I'm Hannah.

Suruthi Bala (4:11)

And this is RedHanded, where today we are going to take a big, long, filthy look at the case of Kouri Richins.

Hannah Maguire (4:17)

When you were in the loo just now, I was explaining what we have to do with the files and which ones have to go first. A lovely sound friend in the box behind us was like, well, we've got a big longie first that has to go. And he was like, oh, I love a big longie.

Suruthi Bala (4:27)

Who doesn't?

Hannah Maguire (4:27)

Don't we all?

Suruthi Bala (4:28)

Hope you guys do too.

Hannah Maguire (4:29)

Strap it.