Suvechha Sarkar
On June 2, 2018, Nathaniel Stillwater began his morning like any other day in Portland, Oregon. Never did he imagine that it would soon turn into a nightmare when his 63-year-old father, Daniel Craig Brophy, lovingly known as Dan, was shot dead at the Oregon Culinary Institute (OCI). The episode titled ‘Murder in Kitchen One’ of NBC’s ‘Dateline’ focuses on this case, which left Nathaniel and his family members searching for answers. It also sheds light on how the untimely demise of his father left him completely devastated. The episode features courtroom recordings that led to the conviction of Dan’s wife, Nancy Crampton Brophy, for his murder.
Nathaniel Stillwater Was With His Wife When He Learned About His Father’s Death
Pearla Gonzalez Stillwater and Daniel Craig Brophy, fondly known as Dan, welcomed their beloved son, Nathaniel Stillwater, into the world. Sadly, the marriage of Pearla and Dan became tumultuous, leading to their divorce. According to reports, Nathaniel eventually began living with his mother. Further records suggest that as he stepped into adulthood, the relationship between Nathaniel and Dan began to improve. Nathaniel recalled that when Dan introduced him to his second wife, Nancy Crampton Brophy, Nathaniel thought she would be a good match for his father. Things appeared to be going perfectly when Dan’s life turned upside down on June 2, 2018. Dan had gone to work at the Oregon Culinary Institute (OCI), where he was brutally shot dead.
Reports state that Nathaniel came to know about Dan’s murder when his grandmother, Karen Brophy, called him and his wife, leaving them in complete shock. Nathaniel later stated that he even became concerned about the mental health of his stepmother, Nancy, after Dan passed away. Meanwhile, the detectives discovered from multiple surveillance videos near the crime scene that Nancy was in that area around the time of the murder. According to court records, they learned that Dan and Nancy had been facing financial problems. Investigative reports suggest that only a few days after Dan’s murder, Nancy contacted authorities seeking a letter that would claim that she is not a suspect. In her statements, Nancy claimed that she was eligible to receive an insurance payout of just $40,000.
According to court records, the officials soon learned that Nancy was an insurance agent who had taken out multiple policies on Dan. Police records indicate that she was originally the beneficiary of those policies and would receive approximately $800,000 from their payout. The authorities reportedly also grew suspicious of her research on guns and her firearm purchasing history. Based on the overwhelming amount of evidence, Nancy was arrested for the murder of her husband in September 2018. In April 2022, her jury trial finally commenced, and by the following month, she was convicted of second-degree murder. In June 2022, Nancy received a life imprisonment sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Nathaniel Stillwater Filed a Civil Lawsuit Against Nancy to Seek Accountability
In February 2019, Nathaniel filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against his stepmother, Nancy. He had filed the case in the Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland, Oregon, seeking $1.7 million in damages. According to reports, the damages were divided based on the following factors: Dan’s death, losses to the estate, and the pain his father went through due to the manner of his death. Official records reveal that Nathaniel sought $1 million, $500,000, and $200,000, respectively, for the causes. When he was asked why he filed the lawsuit, he stated, “We felt the criminal case had been stalled. We’re just trying to protect the assets of the estate of my father.” It is essential to note that no public reports specify any progress in the civil lawsuit. During Nancy’s trial, Nathaniel helped the authorities uncover the truth by testifying as a witness.
After Nancy’s conviction, Nathaniel noted, “We’ve all been waiting four years to start grieving this loss. To finally have some closure has been very important and meaningful for our family, so we can start to move on and always remember my father, but begin that process of trying to grieve.” Before Nancy’s sentencing in June 2022, Nathaniel even read a statement to the court, directed at Nancy. He stated, “Unburdened by reality, empathy, compassion, and decency, you chose to extinguish the life of someone capable of giving all of these things to the many people that surrounded him. You lived in the shadow of a great human being.” While further speaking about his feelings after her sentencing, Nathaniel expressed, “There was certainly a time where we were concerned if she was acquitted that there would be a very real threat to the safety of our family.”
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Nathaniel Appears to be Leading a Quiet Life Away From the Public Eye
After receiving some closure, Nathaniel shared that he had finally found the ideal little bed of mushrooms, which he felt was a perfect place to spread the ashes of his beloved father. Nathaniel often recalls that his strained relationship with his father developed into a great bond of friendship after he reconnected with him. He reportedly said he and Dan often went foraging for mushrooms and took adventurous trips together. Additionally, Nathaniel loved helping his father with various household projects. Nathaniel’s private life is also fulfilled as he has found his soulmate, and they eventually tied the knot in the presence of his loved ones. Over the next few years, the pair welcomed their children, including a beautiful daughter.
While reminiscing about Dan’s role as a grandfather, Nathaniel noted, “He took it very seriously. While he is known for his dry sense of humor. He was very affectionate and fun with my daughter.” Before the ordeal, Nathaniel worked on and off for about 6 years at Nancy’s catering company. However, he has currently not shared any further details about his professional trajectory. After the profound loss of his father, Nathaniel finds solace in the presence of his wife and children. He and his wife often embark on walks in nature and take occasional trips to the waterfall. As of writing, Nathaniel Stillwater has seemingly chosen to step away from the spotlight and lead a quiet life alongside his family.
