KOURI RITCHENS HIT WITH 26 NEW FELONIES

KOURI RITCHENS HIT WITH 26 NEW FELONIES

_________________________________________________________________________- 

Key Points

Kouri Richins faces 26 new felony charges related to financial 

crimes, in addition to her ongoing murder case.

The charges include mortgage fraud, money laundering, forgery, 

and issuing bad checks, among others.

It seems likely that these financial charges are tied to motives for

 her husband’s death, based on recent reports.

_______________________________________________

Background

Kouri Richins is currently charged with aggravated murder for the

 death of her husband, Eric Richins, in March 2022, and an 

attempt to murder him a month earlier. Her murder trial is 

scheduled for February 2026.

_______________________________________________

New Charges

Recently, on June 27, 2025, she was indicted on 26 new felony 

counts, which include:

- 5 counts of Mortgage Fraud (Second-degree felony)


- 7 counts of Money Laundering (Second-degree felony)


- 1 count of Communications Fraud (Second-degree felony)


- 1 count of Engaging in a Pattern of Unlawful Activity (state-level RICO charge)


- 5 counts of Forgery (Third-degree felony)


-7 counts of Issuing a Bad Check (Third-degree felony)


These charges stem from alleged financial schemes between June

 2021 and March 2022, which prosecutors claim provided a 

motive for monetary gain linked to her husband’s death.

______________________________________________

Case Context and Background

Kouri Richins, a 34-year-old mother and real estate agent from 

Utah, is currently facing significant legal challenges. She is 

charged with aggravated murder for the death of her husband, 

Eric Richins, aged 39, which occurred in March 2022, as well as 

an attempt to murder him a month prior. The murder case alleges

 that she used fentanyl to kill him, and her trial is scheduled to 

begin on February 23, 2026, with jury selection starting on 

February 10, 2026. 

Prior to these murder charges, Richins had already faced 

financial-related charges, including 2 counts of mortgage fraud 

and 2 counts of forgery, which are now being separated for a 

distinct trial. The new indictment, filed on June 27, 2025, in 

Summit County’s 3rd District Court, adds 26 felony counts, 

significantly expanding the scope of her legal battles.

________________________________________________-

Alleged Financial Schemes and Motives

The financial charges are tied to activities between June 2021 

and March 2022, which prosecutors argue provided a motive for 

monetary gain leading to Eric Richins’ death. Key allegations 

include:

-In early 2019, Richins allegedly used a power of attorney to 

obtain a $250,000 Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) on Eric’s 

premarital home without his knowledge, using the funds to 

establish and operate K. Richins Realty LLC.


-By November 30, 2021, her business had accumulated $1.1 

million in high-interest debt, defaulting on one loan and being 

delinquent on several others, leading to a financial collapse by 

the end of 2021.


-On December 23, 2021, she contracted to purchase an 

unfinished mansion in Midway for $2.9 million using high-interest

 debt due in six months, which she lacked the financial ability to 

service. 


-At the time of Eric’s death, his estate was worth approximately 

$5 million, with life insurance policies that Richins mistakenly 

believed she was the beneficiary of, adding to the financial 

motive. 


-By the day of Eric’s death, K. Richins Realty owed $1.8 million to

 hard money lenders, which increased to nearly $5 million the 

following day, highlighting the severity of her financial distress. 


-Additional allegations include submitting false bank statements, 

issuing bad checks, laundering money, fraudulently taking 

$45,000 from her best friend, and submitting false insurance 

applications. 

These activities are seen as part of a pattern of unlawful activity

 under the state-level RICO charge, focusing on her realty 

business operations.

_______________________________________________

Legal Proceedings and Future Outlook

The new financial charges are being handled separately from the 

homicide case, with a second trial expected, as noted by The Park

 Record. The statute of limitations for some charges, such as 

mortgage fraud and forgery, was set to expire by Sunday, June 

29, 2025, prompting the timely filing of these charges. This 

separation ensures that the financial misconduct allegations do 

not overshadow the murder trial, which is a high-profile case 

drawing significant media attention.

The murder trial’s scheduling for February 2026 indicates a 

lengthy legal process ahead, with the financial charges 

potentially adding complexity to her defense strategy. The 

Summit County Attorney’s Office has been proactive in filing 

these charges, reflecting the seriousness with which they view 

the alleged financial misconduct.

_________________________________________________

Public and Legal Implications

The addition of 26 felony counts significantly escalates the legal 

pressure on Richins, potentially impacting public perception and 

the outcome of both trials. The financial charges, particularly the 

RICO allegation, suggest a broader criminal enterprise, which 

could influence jury perceptions in both cases. Media coverage, 

such as reports from ABC4 Utah and KUTV, has highlighted the 

severity and scope of these new allegations, contributing to 

public discourse on the case.

_______________________________________________

Conclusion

Kouri Richins’ new 26-count indictment represents a significant 

expansion of her legal challenges, focusing on financial crimes 

allegedly committed to secure monetary gain, which prosecutors 

link to the motive for her husband’s murder. The detailed 

allegations paint a picture of financial distress and fraudulent 

activities, adding layers to an already complex case. As the legal 

proceedings unfold, with trials scheduled for 2026, this case 

continues to draw attention for its intersection of murder and 

financial misconduct.


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