Online Searches Lead to Life Sentence for Utah Woman in Murder Case
Cell phone users can't stop incriminating themselves
Ars Technica
Image: Ars Technica
Kouri Richins, a Utah real estate agent, was sentenced to life in prison for murdering her husband, Eric, with fentanyl. Her online searches, including inquiries about deleting texts and lie detector tests, played a crucial role in her conviction.
- 01Kouri Richins was convicted of murdering her husband Eric via fentanyl overdose.
- 02Her online search history significantly contributed to the evidence against her.
- 03Richins was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
- 04Investigators found suspicious searches on her second iPhone after her first was seized.
- 05Digital forensics expert Chris Kotrodimos presented evidence of her incriminating online activity.
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Kouri Richins, a real estate agent from Utah, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of her husband, Eric Richins, who died from a fentanyl overdose. The case against her was bolstered by her online search history, which included queries about deleting text messages and the possibility of lie detector tests. After Eric's death in March 2022, investigators seized Kouri's iPhone, revealing deleted messages and location data that contradicted her claims. A second iPhone, purchased after the first was taken, contained searches that prosecutors highlighted during the trial, indicating her awareness of the investigation and attempts to conceal evidence. The jury found her guilty based on this digital evidence, leading to her life sentence.
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The case highlights the importance of digital evidence in criminal investigations, potentially influencing how future cases are prosecuted.
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