Author Writing a Book Mourning Husband... US in Uproar Over "Husband Killed by Fentanyl"

Richins Arrested on Charges of Killing Husband
Prosecutors: "Fed Fentanyl for 9 Years to Kill"

A writer in the United States who mourned her deceased husband and even published a children's book was suddenly brought to trial. It was later revealed that she secretly administered a lethal dose of fentanyl to her husband, causing his death.

According to NBC News and others on the 10th (local time), Kouri Richins (33), a mother of three living on the outskirts of Park City, Utah, was indicted on the 8th on charges of poisoning her husband with fentanyl.

American children's book author Kouri Richins arrested on suspicion of killing her husband. [Image source=AP News]

The prosecution judged that Richins' claim that she reported "he felt cold to the touch" after discovering her husband's body last March was false. Richins stated that at the time of the police report, she had made a mixed vodka drink to celebrate her husband's successful real estate business, drank it together with him in the bedroom, and then left the bedroom to soothe one of their children who had woken up, only to return and find her husband deceased.

However, the autopsy revealed that her husband's body contained five times the lethal dose of fentanyl. This was administered orally, and investigators believe Richins had been giving fentanyl to her husband over nine years and administered a lethal dose shortly before his death. Fentanyl is known to be 50 times more addictive and hallucinogenic than heroin and over 80 times more than morphine, earning it the nickname "zombie drug."

Authorities believe Richins purchased fentanyl from acquaintances and administered it to her husband. They also stated that through searches of her cellphone and PC, they captured evidence of Richins contacting acquaintances multiple times to buy drugs.

Local netizens were shocked by this. Until now, Richins had portrayed herself as a grieving wife devastated by finding her husband cold after spending the evening together at home.

In particular, she wrote a children's book titled "Are You With Me?" in March this year to mourn her suddenly deceased husband and comfort their three sons who lost their father. The book was published one year after her husband suddenly died at home in March last year, and Richins included content comforting her three sons' longing for their departed father.

Richins appeared on broadcasts to promote the book, saying, "I hope other children find happiness in various ways," and "Dad is still here, just in a different way." However, just two months after publishing the book, she was identified as a suspect in her husband's murder.

Meanwhile, Richins is scheduled for a court hearing on the 19th. She is also charged with possession of GHB, a drug also known as a "date rape" drug.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.