The widely publicized trial of Kouri Richins is over, with a jury finding the Utah mother of three guilty of first-degree aggravated murder in the death of husband Eric Richins on March 4, 2022.
Richins, 35, was also convicted on charges of attempted aggravated murder, forgery, and insurance fraud and awaits her sentencing in May 2026. She faces 25 years to life in prison without parole for the aggravated murder and attempted aggravated murder convictions.
The case garnered added attention because of Richins’s behavior following her husband’s death. Most notably, Richins, who has maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charges, published a children’s book in 2023 she claimed was meant to help her three young sons deal with the loss of their father.
Not surprisingly, information about the couple’s children has been kept extremely private following Richins’s arrest. Here’s what we know their status now.
How Many Children Did Kouri Richins and Eric Richins Have?
Kouri and Eric Richins had three children: sons Carter, Ashton, and Weston. They were 9, 7, and 5, respectively, at the time of his death in March 2022. That would make them around 13, 11, and 9 years old now.
According to his obituary from Walker Mortuary, Eric “was a family man, who always strove to be the absolute best father and husband” and “did absolutely everything in his power to provide his family with every possible opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun.”
Why Did Kouri Richins Publish a Book for Her Children?
Richins’s trial garnered additional attention because of a book she published for her three children about grief.
Released March 5, 2023—almost a year to the day following Eric’s death—Are You With Me? is authored by Kouri D. Richins and tells the story of a boy who must grieve the death of his father. The child looks for his parent’s angelic presence amid everyday activities.
Richins promoted the book on the local television program Good Things Utah. “I just wanted some story to read to my kids at night,” she told the hosts in a clip shown by 48 Hours, “and so, you know, I was like, ‘Let’s just write one.’”
However, Richins’s trial brought more details about the book to light. According to KSL.com, the prosecution showed text messages suggesting Richins’s book was actually penned by a ghostwriter. Summit County sheriff's detective Jeff O'Driscoll, a witness during the trial, said that texts between Richins and her brother discussed the cost of the book and how much money would be made for each copy sold.
Where Are Kouri Richins’s Children Now?
Richins was officially charged with Eric’s murder on May 8, 2023.
Little is known about the couple’s children today. According to a report from the Park Record newspaper in Park City, Utah, in November 2024, a juvenile court ruled to give Eric Richins’s family custody of the three boys.
At the time, attorneys for Kouri were attempting to petition for new conditions for bail and pre-trial release, which was denied. Per the report, they claimed Richins participated in multiple classes while in prison and showed no sign of violence over the 17 months following her arrest.
“As a mother, there is no way Kouri Richins is leaving her children no matter what they’re being told. … She would never leave her children,” lawyer Kathryn Nester said, dismissing the idea Richins would be a flight risk. “She literally has no resources to leave the country, to resettle in another place. She would have no ability to support herself.”
Richins remained at the Summit County Jail through the duration of her trial. Following her convictions, she will be sentenced on May 13, 2025—which would have been Eric’s 44th birthday.
According to KUTV, members of Eric’s family expressed plans to speak more publicly following Kouri’s sentencing. So, it’s possible we will learn more about her children and their status at that time.
Tyler Piccotti joined the Biography.com staff as an Associate News Editor and is now the News and Culture Editor. He previously worked as a reporter and copy editor for a daily newspaper recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors. In his current role, he shares the true stories behind your favorite movies and TV shows and profiles rising musicians, actors, and athletes. When he's not working, you can find him at the nearest amusement park or movie theater and cheering on his favorite teams.
