Utah judge orders convicted killer to repay over $1.3 million in insurance claims

Third District Judge Richard Mrazik ruled that Kouri Richins must return the life-insurance proceeds paid to her after she was convicted of murdering her husband, Eric Richins, with fentanyl. The court ordered payments of $1,017,018.49 to Auto Owner’s Insurance and $352,562.61 to TruStage, directing the sums to the Utah Office of Debt Collection because Richins is incarcerated. Prosecutors argued the payouts were a foreseeable motive for the homicide.

Richins' attorney, Wendy Lewis, requested a hold on the restitution while an appeal is pursued, but the judge said he lacked authority to grant it, a view shared by Deputy Summit County attorney Brad Bloodworth. The restitution order is separate from Richins' pending trial on numerous fraud and forgery counts, scheduled for October 9.