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 The Story of Eric and Corey Richens

In 2022, Eric Eugene Richens passed away unexpectedly, leaving behind his wife Corey and their three small boys. One year later, struggling to cope with the loss, Corey wrote a children's book that dealt with the theme of grieving the loss of a family member. However, in a shocking turn of events, just a few weeks later, Corey herself became the primary suspect in Eric's murder. But as with many true crime cases, there's much more to the story than meets the eye. Let's dive into the crooked case of the killer-turned-children's book author.

The Richens Family and Their Home in Camas

Located in Summit County, Utah, Camas is 42 miles east of downtown Salt Lake City. It has a total area of 1.6 square miles and a population of 2,110 according to the latest U.S census. Its main industries are cattle ranching and lumber. This is where the Richens family resided in a sprawling five-bedroom, four-bath home on Willow Court valued at more than 1.1 million dollars.

The Life of Eric Richens

Eric Eugene Richens was born in May 1982 in Bountiful, Utah. The Richins family is one of the oldest and most prominent families in Summit County. Eric's childhood was spent on his father's ranch, helping with tasks such as hauling hay, tending to livestock, and mending fences. Sports played a significant role in Eric's life as well, both as a fan and participant in activities including basketball, baseball, and soccer. As a father, he coached his son's teams, and as an adult, his love for the outdoors manifested in avid hunting trips. Eric was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent two years on a mission in Mexico City, during which he became proficient in Spanish. Back in the states, he earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, majoring in international studies with a minor in Spanish. Leveraging his skills and determination, Eric established a thriving masonry business from scratch known as C.E. Stone Masonry.

The Life of Corey Richens

Corey Richens, also hailing from Utah, was born in Ever City in April 1990. According to her LinkedIn profile, she earned a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration from Weber State University and holds a master's in human resources from Utah State University. Corey has quite a diverse career background. In 2010, she started a housekeeping company named Corey Darden Housekeeping Services. She also has experience working as a hospital administrative assistant and later as an enhanced patient services and specialty clinic trainer at Park City Medical Center. Most recently, she was active in the real estate industry as a licensed agent.

The Richens' Marriage

Eric and Corey's story began at Home Depot, where Corey was earning her living as a cashier. A colleague introduced them, and it didn't take long for sparks to fly. Given their shared love of sports and their ambitious spirits, a few years down the line, wedding bells were ringing. In they pledged their love to each other on June 15, 2013. Eric had been through the pains of a lost spouse in a tragic car accident, making this his second chance at marital joy. However, Corey was handed a prenuptial agreement by her future mother-in-law on her wedding day, which asserted that she wouldn't have a claim to Eric's 50% stake in his masonry business unless Eric died during their marriage. In the ensuing years, Eric and Corey would welcome three boys who are now ages 10, 9, and 6. The Richens, known for their sociability and warmth, were well-liked in their community, often venturing on trips and expanding their circle of friends.

The Financial Strains on the Richens' Marriage

One old friend of Eric's who had known him for about 20 years recently commented that the Richens seemed to lead the perfect little life. Eric was the primary breadwinner in the family, while Corey harbored lofty ambitions. Yet their seemingly idyllic marriage began to wobble under financial strains just three years in, exposing a marriage mired in secrets, unwise financial choices, and escalating tension.

The Allegations Against Corey

In court documents filed on May 18th, prosecutors allege that between 2015 and 2017, Corey obtained four separate life insurance policies on Eric without his knowledge, with a combined potential payout of 2 million dollars. The plot thickened in September 2020 when prosecutors allege Eric discovered that his wife, the person he was meant to trust implicitly, had

Summary

Corey Richards' husband died unexpectedly and initially, it was believed to be a natural death. But the autopsy revealed that he died of a fentanyl overdose and the detectives suspected Corey of poisoning her husband. She was eventually arrested and charged with criminal homicide, aggravated murder, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Despite this, Corey appeared on a local TV show to promote her book about coping with loss, which became popular after her arrest. The investigation also revealed an inconsistency in one of Corey's statements, and her phone records suggested she was communicating with someone about obtaining pain medication.

Events Leading to the Arrest

Eric Richards died unexpectedly, and Corey was suspected of poisoning him with fentanyl.

Corey purchased a 2 million dollar mansion and celebrated with friends while the investigation was ongoing.

Corey was informed that she was removed from Eric's will and replaced by his sister as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy, leaving her financially unstable.

Corey assaulted her sister-in-law, leading to an assault charge.

The autopsy revealed that Eric died of a fentanyl overdose, and the police secured a search warrant for Corey's home.

Corey was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, aggravated murder, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Corey's book about coping with loss became popular after her arrest, but it was later removed from Amazon.

Corey's Three C's for Helping Kids Cope with Grief

Corey shared her three C's for helping kids cope with grief, which are connection, continuity, and care. She emphasized the importance of keeping the spirit of the lost loved one alive in the home and making sure the children feel that they are not alone in their grief.

The Inconsistency in Corey's Statement

During questioning, Corey told officers that she left her phone plugged in next to her bed when she left her bedroom around midnight to go to her child's room. But forensic testing revealed that her phone was locked and unlocked multiple times during that time frame. Investigators also found communications between Corey and an individual about obtaining pain medication.