A new twist has emerged in the case against Kouri Richins, the Utah mother accused of fatally poisoning her husband, Eric Richins. The investigation into Eric's death, which revealed a lethal dose of fentanyl in his system, has now introduced a key witness, though he will never take the stand due to his sudden death in a motorcycle accident.

William Hayden Jeffs, a 35-year-old handyman, was reportedly in contact with Kouri around the time of Eric’s death. Investigators claim that Kouri reached out to Jeffs just weeks before her husband's passing, asking him if he could obtain fentanyl and propofol, an anesthetic, for her. These substances, particularly fentanyl, are central to the allegations against Kouri, who is accused of poisoning Eric with a cocktail of illicit fentanyl.

In a search warrant filed by authorities, it was revealed that Jeffs had provided investigators with text messages that confirmed his communication with Kouri regarding these drugs. He allegedly shared copies of the messages with police, further linking him to the case.

Unfortunately, Jeffs died in a motorcycle crash on September 30, two months before the trial could proceed. His death has complicated the prosecution’s efforts to bring him into court as a witness, but authorities are still examining his phone, which was seized by law enforcement. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office requested the phone as part of the ongoing investigation into Kouri Richins' alleged actions. However, the documents associated with the case have not clarified whether Jeffs actually supplied Kouri with fentanyl or other drugs.

Kouri Richins, who authored a children’s book about grief following her husband’s death, has been charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated murder. According to the autopsy, Eric's fentanyl levels were five times the lethal dose, and the medical examiner confirmed that the fentanyl was not medical-grade but illicit.

The prosecution claims that Kouri intentionally poisoned Eric with a fatal dose of fentanyl, and they continue to investigate her interactions with other individuals from whom she may have purchased the drugs. Although Jeffs is no longer able to testify, the investigation is still ongoing, and the case remains complex as investigators search for more evidence.

Kouri’s trial is set to begin in April 2025, with a pre-trial conference scheduled for December 12, 2024. As the investigation continues, the revelation of Jeffs’ involvement and his tragic death adds a layer of intrigue and uncertainty to the case, making it one to watch in the months ahead.

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