Kouri Richins ordered to pay $55.2M to her husband's estate after being convicted for his murder

PARK CITY — Kouri Richins was ordered to pay even more money to her late-husband's family this week resolving a claim in a wrongful death lawsuit and an estate claim filed by Eric Richins' sister, Katie Richins-Benson.

Kouri Richins is spending the rest of her life in prison, without the possibility of parole, after she was found guilty of the aggravated murder of her husband who died of a fentanyl overdose on March 4, 2022.

On Monday, 3rd District Judge Richard Mrazik ordered Richins to pay $55,120,516 in the wrongful death lawsuit to Richins-Benson as the representative and trustee of Eric Richins' trust.

Of that, $10 million is related to economic damages, $41 million is for punitive damages and $1 million was awarded for each of the minor children who has lost the companionship, protection, guidance and affection from their father.

The judge's ruling said because of the "level of reprehensibility" of Richins actions, there is cause to multiple the economic and non-economic damages by three to calculate the punitive damages amount. The ruling cited that the number three is "particularly apt" because it includes a number for each of the surviving victims — the children.

On Tuesday, Mrazik also signed an order in an estate case that awarded Eric Richins' sister, Katie Richins-Benson $79,005 in attorneys fees.

Kouri Richins was previously ordered to pay $1.3 million to life insurance companies as restitution in her criminal case after being found guilty of insurance fraud.

This story will be updated. To be notified about updates, please click Follow This Story below on the KSL app.