Author of 'How to Murder Your Husband' goes on trial for spouse's murder

The trial of a self-published romance writer accused of fatally shooting her chef husband started Monday.

Nancy Crampton Brophy

has remained in custody since her arrest in September 2018, facing a murder charge in the death of

Daniel Brophy

, 63, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.


He was killed as he prepped for work at the Oregon Culinary Institute in Southwest Portland around 7:30 a.m. on June 2.

Nancy

Crampton Brophy

is a self-published romance writer who years before her husband’s death penned an essay titled “How to Murder Your Husband.” Brophy’s death remained a mystery until his wife’s arrest, and authorities have never publicly disclosed another suspect.

Investigators determined there were no signs of force or struggle and no signs of robbery. Brophy still had his wallet, cellphone, and car keys with him, documents said.

Traffic cameras show Crampton Brophy’s minivan approaching and departing from city streets near the institute close to the apparent time of the shooting, court documents said.

Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Shawn Overstreet told jurors Monday that Crampton Brophy was motivated by greed and a $1.4 million insurance policy.

Lead defense attorney Lisa Maxfield said Crampton Brophy and her finances both deteriorated after Brophy’s death, far from the prosecution’s claim that she profited from ill-gotten gains.

She previously entered not guilty plea to the charge.

The trial is expected to last seven weeks.