Katie Richins‑Benson is best known as the sister of Eric Richins, a Utah man whose death in March 2022 has become the focus of a widely covered criminal and civil legal battle.
After Eric died under suspicious circumstances, prosecutors charged his wife, Kouri Richins, with murder, alleging she fatally poisoned him with fentanyl.
Throughout this long and emotional legal fight, Katie has played a central role as both a key witness and a protector of her brother’s estate and legacy.
Katie grew up in Utah alongside Eric and their siblings, including her sister Amy Richins. The Richins siblings were close throughout their lives, and Katie has been described by prosecutors as deeply involved in her brother’s affairs and supportive of his family following his death.
In 2026, she took the stand during the trial of Kouri Richins, offering deeply emotional testimony about how she learned of Eric’s death, the moments she witnessed at the scene, and her reactions to the behavior of her sister‑in‑law.
Katie’s statements highlighted both her grief and her concern about events following her brother’s passing.
As Eric’s trustee under his living trust, Katie also took on significant legal responsibilities after his death. She filed civil lawsuits against Kouri, accusing her of financial misconduct, including unauthorized borrowing and mishandling of assets, and worked to ensure that the estate was protected for Eric’s children and family. These legal actions added to the complex legal landscape surrounding the case.
"I was dumbfounded" – Eric Richins' sister, Katie Richins-Benson, fights back tears on the stand as a witness for the prosecution right now.
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Amy Richins, another of Eric and Katie’s sisters, has also been directly involved. Immediately after Eric’s death, Amy became embroiled in confrontations with Kouri over control of the family home and access to property.
According to court statements, shortly after Eric died, Kouri allegedly tried to access a safe in the home and refused to acknowledge the estate trust, leading to a heated dispute with Amy.
During that confrontation, Amy testified that Kouri struck her, punching her in the face and neck while trying to force her to leave the home. The incident required several people to intervene and helped show the sharp tension among family members after Eric’s passing.
Amy also spoke in court about her sister‑in‑law’s actions and behavior, describing them as “greedy” and “desperate,” and criticizing Kouri for moving quickly on financial matters and real estate deals in the days after Eric’s death.
Her statements reinforced concerns raised by Katie and other family members about how Kouri handled affairs and responded to the tragedy.
Together, Katie and Amy Richins have become vocal representatives of Eric’s family in the aftermath of his death. While Katie has managed the legal aspects of the estate and served as a key witness in the criminal trial, Amy has shared her perspective on the family’s interactions and disputes with Kouri in the immediate aftermath of the loss.
Their involvement has helped shape public understanding of the case and offered insight into the personal toll of the legal battles.
Despite the intense scrutiny and emotional strain, both sisters have remained engaged in seeking accountability and clarity about what happened to their brother.
As the trial unfolds, their testimonies and actions continue to play a significant role in how the legal process moves forward.
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