Nancy Crampton-Brophy sentenced to life in prison for murder of chef husband

PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) - A Multnomah County judge sentenced former romance novelist Nancy Crampton-Brophy to life in prison for the murder of her husband, Daniel Brophy.

Last month, 71-year-old Crampton-Brophy was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband. The jury spent two days deliberating after a seven-week trial.

Brophy was found dead at the Oregon Culinary Institute on June 2, 2018 after Portland police responded to the report of a shooting. He was a chef and longtime instructor at the Oregon Culinary Institute.

Months after the shooting, in Sept. 2018, officers arrested Crampton-Brophy at her home in Washington County. She initially faced charges of murder with a firearm and domestic violence. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Crampton-Brophy is the author of multiple books including “The Wrong Husband” and an essay titled “How to Murder Your Husband.”

Before Crampton-Brophy learned her sentenced Monday morning, she listened to family and friends of her late husband describe her as evil, heartless and a cold-blooded murderer.

“You executed my father in an act of cold-blooded premeditated murder. A man that did everything for you. Cooked you meals, washed your clothes, accepted your sedentary nature, supported your failed endeavors, and brought you into the warm embrace of our family,” said Nathaniel Stillwater, Brophy’s son. “Your payment for decades of dedication, trust and love, plot his murder on Christmas Eve in the presence of his parents and grandchildren.”

Clarinda Perez also gave an emotional statement. She was a student of Brophy’s and found his body.

“His eyes were green and they were utterly heartbroken. Utterly heartbroken because he knew who had done this, and I will ever have to live with those green heartbroken eyes,” Perez said in court.

Crampton-Brophy will be up for the possibility of parole after 25 years. Her attorneys have said they will appeal her conviction.

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