The mother of three who authored a book on assisting children in coping with grief following her husband's death, has been accused of his murder.

On Monday, May 8th, Kouri Richins, a resident of Summit County, Utah, was apprehended for the demise of her spouse, Eric Richins, which had occurred over a year ago.

On the 4th of March 2022, Eric's demise was verified after Kouri contacted the authorities in the wee hours of the night, informing them that her husband had become 'cold to the touch.'

She informed the police that she had prepared a vodka-based beverage for Eric and brought it to him in their bedroom, after which she left to attend to one of their children in a separate room.

Kouri stated that she discovered her husband unresponsive upon her return, and when the deputies arrived at their residence, they discovered Eric lying at the end of his bed.

The autopsy disclosed that Eric passed away due to a fentanyl overdose, with the medical examiner indicating that he had around five times the fatal amount of the substance in his system.

In the course of the inquiry into the death, an individual known to Kouri informed the authorities that she had requested them to procure some 'prescription pain medication'. The acquaintance provided hydrocodone tablets, following which Kouri purportedly requested a more potent substance.

According to reports, the individual then supplied Kouri with 15-30 fentanyl pills, after which Eric became 'extremely unwell' three days later following dinner with Kouri at their residence.

According to legal records, Eric 'told a friend that he thought his wife was trying to poison him.'

Reportedly, roughly two weeks after the aforementioned event, Kouri purportedly requested another set of fentanyl pills from the same individual. Subsequently, six days following the delivery of the pills, Eric was discovered deceased.

In March of this year, Kouri released her picture book 'Are you with me?', which "follows the story of a child who has lost their father, but who is reminded that his presence still exists all around them, just like an angel watching over them."

In a local TV appearance to advertise her book, Kouri characterized her spouse's passing as unforeseen.

"It's — you know — explaining to my kid just because he's not present here with us physically, doesn't mean his presence isn't here with us," she said.

At present, Kouri, aged 33, faces charges of aggravated murder, along with three accusations of possession with the intent to distribute.

In an obituary for the father, it was mentioned that he and Kouri had been wed for nine years when he passed away.

"Eric did absolutely everything in his power to provide his family with every possible opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun," the obituary said.