A man who had worked on Kouri Richins’ real estate projects told investigators about a secret relationship and affectionate text messages between them, which he believed were the motive for the crime

The sensational murder trial of Kouri Richins, a Utah mother and author of a children’s book on grief, has captivated public attention with revelations about her alleged secret affair, financial desperation, and the poisoning death of her husband, Eric Richins, in March 2022. Prosecutors argued that Kouri fatally laced Eric’s drink with a massive dose of fentanyl to escape mounting debts and pursue a new life with her lover. A key piece of testimony came from a man who worked on her real estate projects, who described their romantic relationship and shared affectionate text messages that prosecutors presented as evidence of motive.

The Case Background

Kouri Richins, then 33, called 911 on March 4, 2022, reporting that her husband Eric, 39, was unresponsive at their home in Kamas, Utah—an upscale area near Park City known for its ski resorts and luxury properties. Eric was pronounced dead at the scene. Initially ruled as a possible overdose or natural causes, the case shifted when toxicology reports revealed a lethal level of fentanyl in his system—far beyond recreational use. Authorities alleged Kouri poisoned him via a fentanyl-laced Moscow mule cocktail she prepared.

Kouri gained national notoriety after publishing Are You With the Bad Guy? in 2023, a children’s book about coping with loss, purportedly inspired by Eric’s death. Prosecutors later claimed this was part of a calculated effort to portray herself as a grieving widow while hiding her role in his murder.

She faced charges including aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder (for an alleged earlier poisoning attempt), insurance fraud, and forgery. Kouri pleaded not guilty, with her defense arguing the state failed to prove intent or direct involvement, suggesting alternative explanations for the fentanyl.

The Secret Relationship and the Witness’s Testimony

A central figure in the prosecution’s motive argument was Robert Josh Grossman (often referred to as Josh Grossman), a handyman and contractor who worked on properties for Kouri’s real estate flipping business. Grossman testified during the trial (notably around early March 2026) that he and Kouri developed a romantic relationship starting around early 2020.

Grossman described how their professional collaboration—renovating and flipping houses—evolved into an affair. He testified that the relationship was ongoing before and after Eric’s death, involving frequent communication and plans for a future together. Prosecutors highlighted affectionate text messages exchanged between them, which Grossman read aloud in court, becoming emotional and tearful at points as the messages were displayed to the jury.

Examples from trial coverage included gushing exchanges where Kouri expressed frustration with her marriage and longing for Grossman. One reported text from Kouri reportedly lamented something along the lines of wishing her husband “could just go away” so Grossman could be with her, framing life as “perfect” without Eric. These messages spanned months, including the period leading up to Eric’s death and afterward, with continued contact and even plans to meet shortly after the incident (such as a brunch date the week Eric died).

Grossman testified that Kouri had discussed her troubled marriage with him, including financial strains from her real estate ventures. He appeared to weep on the stand as prosecutors read through pages of their private conversations, underscoring the depth of their bond. Defense cross-examination attempted to portray Grossman as a jilted ex or question the context of the texts, but the testimony painted a picture of a secret romance that provided a personal motive for eliminating Eric—freeing Kouri from her marriage to pursue the relationship openly.

Financial Motive Tied to Real Estate Debts

Prosecutors emphasized Kouri’s dire financial situation as the primary driver, amplified by her desire to be with Grossman. Her house-flipping business had accumulated massive debts—court documents cited at least $1.8 million owed to lenders, with some estimates reaching $4.5 million overall. Eric’s estate and life insurance policies were worth millions, and Kouri allegedly believed she would inherit significantly upon his death (though changes to beneficiaries and policies were scrutinized).

Testimony revealed Kouri had met with divorce attorneys, and Eric had confided in friends about suspicions that Kouri tried to poison him earlier (e.g., “jokingly” mentioning a Valentine’s Day incident involving a sandwich). A housecleaner also testified to purchasing fentanyl for Kouri, expressing regret when learning of Eric’s death.

The combination of the affair (evidenced by Grossman’s testimony and texts) and financial ruin formed the core of the prosecution’s narrative: Kouri killed Eric to escape debt, collect insurance/estate funds, and start anew with her lover from the real estate world.

Trial Outcome and Community Impact

After closing arguments on March 16, 2026, the jury deliberated for under three hours before finding Kouri guilty of aggravated murder and related charges. She was convicted of fatally poisoning Eric, with sentencing scheduled for later (May 2026 in some reports). The verdict shocked many who had followed her grief book persona, turning the case into a cautionary tale of deception.

The testimony from the man involved in her real estate projects—Grossman—proved pivotal, humanizing the motive through emotional recounting of their texts and relationship. It highlighted how personal entanglements and professional overlaps can intersect tragically in high-stakes crimes.

This case underscores broader issues like the pressures of real estate investing, hidden affairs in seemingly stable marriages, and the use of powerful opioids like fentanyl in domestic crimes. As of March 17, 2026, the guilty verdict closes a chapter on one of Utah’s most high-profile murder trials in recent years.