Episode Details

With Kouri Richins' aggravated murder trial set to begin February 23 in Park City, Utah, the Department of Homeland Security has issued an intelligence bulletin to law enforcement identifying her case as part of a growing national trend. The January 2026 bulletin warned that domestic partners are increasingly turning to chemical and biological toxins to kill, documenting seventeen cases since 2014 with at least eleven deaths. The substances most commonly used — antifreeze, eye drops, fentanyl, cyanide, and thallium — are chosen specifically because they mimic natural illness, creating significant challenges for detection and prosecution.

Richins is charged with spiking her husband Eric's cocktail with a fatal dose of illicit fentanyl on March 3, 2022, with prosecutors alleging a prior failed attempt on Valentine's Day. Eric was found with approximately five times the lethal dose in his blood. The alleged motive centers on financial pressure — her realty company reportedly owed lenders at least $1.8 million while his estate was worth roughly $5 million. She has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

But the Richins case also highlights the systemic vulnerabilities that make poisoning an increasingly attractive method. Eric died at home and his death was initially treated as an overdose, not a homicide. America's autopsy rate has collapsed to 8.5%, with natural-looking deaths autopsied just 4.3% of the time. Research shows death certificates are wrong roughly a third of the time. Tony walks through three convicted cases — James Craig, Lana Clayton, and Stacey Castor — where the killer nearly escaped detection entirely, and connects them to the Richins trial and the federal warning that says this problem is getting worse.

#KouriRichins #DHSPoisoningBulletin #DomesticPoisoning #TrueCrimeToday #JamesCraig #EricRichins #LanaClayton #StaceyCastor #AutopsyRate #FentanylPoisoning

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This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 
Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice.