Life Sentence for "How To Murder Your Husband" Author For Killing Her Spouse
Self-published romance novelist Nancy Crampton-Brophy, 71, was sentenced to life in prison Monday after she was convicted in May of killing her husband. Her case gained national attention after it was revealed that she wrote a blog post titled “How To Murder Your Husband” years before his death.
Crampton-Brophy, 71, was convicted of second-degree murder on May 25 following a seven week trial. She was accused of killing her husband, 63-year-old chef Dan Brophy, 63, in the now closed Oregon Culinary Institute on June 2, 2018 in Portland.
Prosecutors claim Crampton-Brophy was set to inherit a significant sum of life insurance money from her husband’s death. Multiple witnesses claimed the Brophys were having financial issues before the murder.
The prosecution also brought forth evidence showing Crampton-Brophy had researched and purchased a “ghost gun” kit online and purchased a Glock 17 handgun at a gun show. Crampton-Brophy claimed her research into ghost guns was in preparation for a future novel, per the Associated Press.
Family members of Brophy’s expressed their sorrow over his death in their victim impact statements. Crampton-Brophy’s step-son, Nathaniel Stillwater, said: "The pain you have delivered to us is immeasurable. Your theft of a parent and grandfather for such selfish reasons is unforgivable.”
It was discovered that Crampton-Brophy wrote a blog post titled “How To Murder Your Husband” years before the murder. The judge ruled that the essay would not be used as evidence on day one of the trial.
