Latest news with #Kouri
Fox News
11-03-2025
- Fox News
Mourning Widow Or Murderous Wife? The Kouri Richins Case
On the outside, Kouri and Eric Richins seemed to have the perfect family. When Eric suddenly died in 2022, Kouri went from a seemingly loving wife to a mourning widow, writing a children's book to help her sons grieve. One month after promoting her book on a local television show, Kouri was arrested and charged with murdering her husband. Award-winning Trial Attorney and Host of the Courtroom Confidential Podcast Joshua Ritter recaps the facts of the case and shares what listeners can expect to see in Kouri's upcoming trial. Follow Emily on Instagram: @realemilycompagno If you have a story or topic we should feature on the FOX True Crime Podcast, send us an email at: truecrimepodcast@ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Parents who allegedly gave baby a fatal dose of Zzzquil ordered held pending case's outcome
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The parents of a 13-month-old boy who was given a fatal dose of over-the-counter sleep medicine were ordered held in custody pending trial. Peoria County Circuit Judge Steve Kouri said Tasheaunna R. Williams, 26, and Nausicca Thomas, 27, were both to be held at the county jail pending the outcome of allegations of first-degree murder regarding the death of Hezekiah Williams in late December. Despite the fact that both women have largely abided by conditions outlined more than a month ago when they were initially charged with a lesser charge of aggravated battery, the judge found they presented a risk to the community. They are accused of giving the boy 40ml of Zzzquil and then leaving him alone for two hours. An adult dose is 30ml, and Assistant State's Attorney Deborah Shelby noted that makers of the medication state on their packing that it should not be given to anyone under 12. Women accused of giving Zzzquil to infant set for late March trial Both women face up to 100 years in prison, well more than the normal maximum of 60 years behind bars. That's because of the age of the child. Shelby told Kouri that officials learned of the child in mid-December when he was brought to an area hospital after he was found unresponsive at his home. Initially, the parents were charged with lesser charges and not murder, the prosecutor said, because they didn't have results from the toxicology tests or the autopsy. Hezekiah Williams also showed signs of severe malnourishment, poorly healing wounds, bruising and bleeding diaper rash, according to the court documents. In short, according to the court record, Hezekiah was in a coma and on a ventilator when police arrived. He was on life support for several days before dying on Dec. 27, 2024. During the hearing, Kouri also canceled the women's trial for later this month. Those dates were never really seriously considered given the nature of the counts and the gravity of the possible sentence. The judge moved the trial back to mid-May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Utah woman's hopes of flipping mansion flop after murder charge
In the early morning hours of March 4, 2022, Kouri Richins says she found her husband Eric unresponsive in their bed. She said his death was an accident, but a year later she was arrested and charged with murder. The circumstances surrounding Eric Richins' death are investigated in "The People v. Kouri Richins," reported by contributor Natalie Morales. Kouri's family says she lost more than just the father of her three young sons and husband of nine years. She also lost a huge business deal worth millions. Kouri owned a real estate business specializing in buying and flipping houses for a profit. Her mother Lisa Darden says it was a constant rotation of new projects, and at any one time Kouri could be working on three different properties, "I would say on average." Darden had watched Kouri build the business from the ground up and says Kouri was proud of her success. Greg Hall was her friend and marketing director. He says the reason for Kouri's success was that she had something that a lot of people don't. "A lot of times you find an individual that is intelligent, but no common sense or common sense and no intelligence. She had both. She was a brilliant young lady," said Hall. Before Eric died, Darden says Kouri was working on the biggest house-flipping deal of her career. The project was a 10-acre estate in Heber City, Utah, not far from the famed Park City ski resort. It was prime real estate. "I think this was kind of her dream when she got into this idea of flipping houses was to be able to do properties like this," Kouri's attorney, Skye Lazaro, told Morales as they toured the property. The 20,000-square-foot mansion and its 4,000-square-foot guesthouse were originally built in 2017 but never finished. Kouri discovered the abandoned project in 2019 and made an offer on it along with a group of investors for $3.9 million. According to Lazaro, Kouri's plan with the property was to "turn it into a recreational hotspot, given this is probably one of the most beautiful places in the world and, hopefully, sell it at a profit." And Kouri's mother says that potential was jaw-dropping. "Her and Eric sat down with an accountant one time, and he said, if you can get it done and stay under budget, you could walk away with $12 million," said Darden. Darden says Kouri and Eric were excited about the opportunity and were celebrating finalizing the closing of the mansion the night Eric died. "Eric's saying, let's have a shot. Come on, let's celebrate Kouri," she said. And the celebration continued. Kouri told investigators she poured Eric another drink later that night, a Moscow mule, before the couple went to bed. It was hours later that Kouri said she found Eric unresponsive in their bed. The next day Kouri closed on the property, according to court papers. But the spokesman for Eric's family, Greg Skordas, says Eric did not want Kouri to buy the mansion. "I don't think he was ever in favor of that," Skordas said. Just days after Eric died, his family told an investigator "Eric and his wife were arguing" about buying the house. Eric's family believes Kouri was determined to go forward with the project, despite Eric's opposition. When Kouri Richins was arrested and charged in her husband's death, her hopes for the project -- and the potential $12 million payday -- came to an end. The mansion was put back on the market and recently sold for $3.75 million. Preliminary autopsy report findings in deaths of Gene Hackman, wife Heated Trump-Zelenskyy meeting in Oval Office | Special Report Iconic rollercoaster Kingda Ka imploded at Six Flags
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Inszone buys South Dakota insurer Kouri & Associates
California-based brokerage Inszone Insurance Services has acquired Kouri & Associates, an insurance agency based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. This move is said to bolster Inszone's reach in the Midwest and offer Kouri & Associates' clients 'enhanced' services as well as resources. Kouri & Associates has a history dating back to 1970 when the Kouri family forayed into the insurance business. By 1977, the agency transitioned into an independent entity, offering personal lines and select commercial coverage for small businesses. Bryan Kouri, who has been heading the agency since 1990, has expanded the offerings to include homeowners, auto, life and commercial policies. With the acquisition, Bryan Kouri and his partner Sheldon Koski, alongside their team, will continue to operate from their Sioux Falls-area office under the Inszone umbrella. The deal will offer its clients access to Inszone's carrier network and insurance expertise. Kouri & Associates president Bryan Kouri said: 'The first conversations we had with Inszone were refreshing. They are real people who share our vision of ensuring clients are well taken care of for the long term. We wanted to expand our services, provide continuity for the future and give our clients an even broader range of coverage options. With Inszone, we have found the perfect fit.' Inszone CEO Chris Walters stated: 'Kouri & Associates has built an impressive track record in both personal lines and commercial insurance. Their family rooted approach and commitment to honest conversations match how we have grown our own business. We are excited to work together to broaden their offerings.' Last month, Inszone acquired Texas Classic Insurance Agency, strengthening its position in the personal lines insurance sector. Texas Classic Insurance Agency, established in 1991, has offices in Granbury and Liberty Hill, Texas. "Inszone buys South Dakota insurer Kouri & Associates " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Valentine's Day poison plot that left husband of children's book author dead fueled by greed: docs
Kouri Richins, the Utah mother of three who penned a children's book about grief after allegedly killing her husband, previously tried to poison him twice before his death, including once on Valentine's Day, court records say. Richins, now 35, is charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated murder and drug possession, after she allegedly poisoned her husband of nine years, 39-year-old Eric Richins, with a cocktail laced with illicit fentanyl in March 2022. Prosecutors allege Kouri killed her husband as a means to collect millions in life insurance funds and start her dream career in high-end real estate. But months before Eric's death, he feared for his life, friends and family told police in court records previously obtained by Fox News Digital. Children's Book Author Accused Of Poisoning Husband Spun Web Of Tall Tales: Prosecutors Authorities filed an additional attempted murder charge in March last year that accused her of slipping fentanyl into her husband's favorite sandwich on Valentine's Day, causing a severe but nonfatal reaction. Read On The Fox News App A witness identified only as C.L. told police that Kouri requested fentanyl sometime in early 2022. On either Feb. 11 or Feb. 12, C.L. allegedly delivered the fentanyl to Kouri. Utah Children's Book Author Kouri Richins Had 2 Key Motives To Kill Husband: Criminal Defense Attorney "Three days later, on Feb. 14, 2022, the Defendent prepared a sandwich for Eric and placed it on the seat of his truck with a love note," documents state. Shortly after Eric ate the sandwich, he broke out in hives and began to have difficulty breathing. He took his son's EpiPen and ingested Benadryl before falling asleep for hours, according to court documents. GET REAL TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE True Crime Hub Eric's family told authorities after his murder that he had been in fear for his life when Kouri allegedly tried to poison him on Valentine's Day, as well as on a separate occasion during a trip to Greece. Kouri apparently told other witnesses that she had purchased the sandwich from a diner and maintains that she did not poison it, documents state. Utah Children's Book Author Accused Of Killing Husband Speaks Out For 1St Time: 'This Means War' READ THE COMPLAINT. MOBILE USERS Click Here Kouri's attorneys, Kathy Nester and Wendy Lewis of Nester Lewis and Alexander Ramos of Langford Ramos, did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital regarding the alleged Valentine's Day poisoning. The two attorneys previously said in a March 2024 statement: "We are aware that the preliminary hearing stage favors the prosecution to an extraordinary degree and respect the court's decision. We firmly believe the charges against Kouri do not withstand thorough scrutiny and are confident that a jury will find the same." Sign Up To Get The True-crime Newsletter "Our focus now is on ensuring that justice is served through a fair trial," they continued. "We are committed to defending Kouri against these charges, firmly believing that the truth will prevail. These past fifteen months have taken a heavy toll on Kouri and her three children. It's time to bring this ordeal to an end, restore her life, and allow her and her family to move on." Prosecutors allege Kouri purchased four different life insurance policies on Eric's life totaling more than $1.9 million between 2015 and 2017. Utah Children's Book Author Sent Damning Text To Lover Before Hubby Poison Plot: Docs On Jan. 1, 2022, months before Eric's death, Kouri "surreptitiously and without authorization changed the beneficiary for his nearly $2 million life insurance policy to herself," the document states. Eric received a notification about the change and switched the beneficiary back to his business partner. She apparently wanted to use the funds to flip a $2 million Wasatch County mansion that was under construction at the time of Eric's death, an investment that his family said he did not approve of. Follow The Fox True-crime Team On X The same night Eric died, authorities say he, Kouri and her mother were celebrating Kouri's recent closure of the mansion in question. The then-33-year-old, who owned a real estate company, wanted to finish building the mansion and sell it for a profit, according to search warrants. Kouri allegedly poured her husband a Moscow mule laced with fentanyl while celebrating that evening. A medical examiner determined that Eric had more than five times the lethal amount of illicit fentanyl in his system when he died. The examiner also found "16,000 ng/ml of Quetiapine," described as an atypical antipsychotic medication that's "widely used as a sleep aid," in Eric Richins' gastric fluid, new charging documents state. Utah Man Allegedly Murdered By Author Wife Took 'Highly Unusual' Steps To Boot Her Out Of Will The next day, Kouri allegedly closed a deal on the mansion "alone" after her husband was pronounced dead. Click To Get The Fox News App Kouri has pleaded guilty to all charges filed against her and maintains that she did not kill Eric. She is scheduled to stand trial in April. After her husband's death, Kouri went on to write and sell a children's book about a father's death titled "Are You With Me?" that was previously available for purchase on Amazon for $ article source: Valentine's Day poison plot that left husband of children's book author dead fueled by greed: docs
