How Did a Civil Case Lead a Defense PI to Kouri Richins' Darkest Secret?

How Did a Civil Case Lead a Defense PI to Kouri Richins' Darkest Secret?

Author: True Crime Today May 27, 2026 Duration: 17:49

For 34 years, Todd Gabler sat on the defense side of the courtroom. Over a hundred homicide cases, always working to challenge the prosecution's theory. That was the job. Then an estate planning attorney connected him with Eric Richins' sister Katie — the same attorney Eric had quietly hired before his death to build a trust that cut Kouri out. The assignment was civil. Property disputes. Trust litigation. Nothing that should have led where it led.

But Gabler pulled phone records. And those records told a story the Summit County Sheriff's Office hadn't heard yet. Kouri Richins' third most frequent contact in the months surrounding her husband's death was a housekeeper with a drug-connected criminal history who was testing positive in court-ordered drug screenings. Gabler saw it before anyone with a badge did. He started pulling threads — 50 interviews, GPS surveillance, and an entire family on Kouri's side that refused to say a word.

In Part 1 of this three-part interview, Gabler tells Tony Brueski what it was like to walk into a civil assignment and realize he was standing inside a homicide — and what happens when a career defense investigator can't unsee what the evidence is showing him.

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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.

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Each week, Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary cuts through the noise of the daily headlines to examine the darker stories unfolding in real time. Hosted by Tony Brueski and presented by True Crime Today, this isn't just a recap of events; it's a deep, analytical dive into the cases that dominate the news cycle, asking the difficult questions that often go unasked. You'll hear detailed commentary on ongoing trials, breaking developments in high-profile investigations, and discussions on the societal and psychological patterns that these crimes reveal. The podcast operates at the intersection of news and thoughtful analysis, providing context where there is often only sensation. Rather than simply presenting facts, Tony engages with the material, offering a perspective that challenges listeners to think critically about the true crime stories they believe they know. It’s for those who follow the news with a keen eye and want to understand the "why" behind the "what." Tune in for a sober, engaging conversation that treats these serious subjects with the depth they demand, making this a standout offering in the true crime genre for anyone seeking more than surface-level reporting.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
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