Nancy Brophy, Who Wrote ‘How To Kill Your Husband,’ Sentenced To Life In Prison For Husband’s Murder

Nancy Crampton Brophy, who was convicted of second-degree murder on May 25 for killing her husband in 2018, was sentenced to life in prison on Monday.

Judge Christopher Ramras, who presided over the trial, said Crampton Brophy, 71, will be considered for parole after 25 years in prison.

Crampton Brophy was found guilty of shooting her husband Daniel Brophy, 63, at the Oregon Culinary Institute (OCI) in June 2018.

Crampton Brophy, a romance novelist, had written a blog titled “How To Murder Your Husband,” on Seeing Jane offering various motives to kill a spouse. It also featured a post weighing the pros and cons of shooting or stabbing your husband.

Crampton Brophy remained silent before sentencing began. The sentencing included impact statements from Brophy’s family and a former OCI student.

The first impact statement came from Brophy’s mother, Karen Brophy, who stated that she and her husband were shocked when Crampton Brophy was arrested for her son’s murder. She said Crampton Brophy took a part of their family life and hopes Crampton Brophy finds God’s grace.

Clarinda Perez, the OIC student who performed CPR on Brophy, offered the second statement. Perez addressed Crampton Brophy’s claim during the trial that the students and staff of the school were not as impacted by her husband’s death as she was.

“All of us were affected that day and to hear her say that we went on with our lives and that nothing happened, that we weren’t affected is a true statement and reflection of what a cold-blooded murderer she is,” Perez said.

Bill Brophy, Daniel Brophy’s brother, also made a statement noting his brother’s death was devastating to their family.

The final impact statement came from Nathaniel Stillwater, Daniel Brophy’s son. He emphasized that his father provided so much for Crampton Brophy and was her biggest supporter, all while she was plotting to kill him.

“You are a monster and I’m ashamed that I have to admit to my children that people like you walk among us undetected,” Stillwater said.

Judge Ramras and attorneys set a restitution hearing date for Aug. 12.

Crampton Brophy’s trial lasted about seven weeks, ending with the jury finding her guilty of murder.

A major revelation of the trial was that Crampton Brophy would receive around $1 million in life insurance payouts if her husband died. She attempted to downplay how large the sum of money was, saying she thought the policy was only worth $40,000. However, it was later discovered that she attempted to claim over 10 policies to collect a heaping $1.4 million.

She was also spotted by surveillance cameras near the school at the time of the shooting. Investigators never found the gun that fired the two bullets into Daniel Brophy’s heart.

Crampton Brophy was arrested in September 2018 for the murder of her husband and has remained in jail since.