• "Man convicted of murdering Carmichael woman" The Sacramento Bee, April 20, 2007.


• "Man held in woman's auto theft death," The Sacramento Bee, August 24, 2005.


• "Homicide Arrest", Sacramento Sheriff's Dept. News Release, August 23, 2005.
  Note: Detectives are asking for additional information about the movements of Curtis Defrance the day of the homicide or eye witness accounts of Curtis Defrance in the victim's vehicle. If you have any information about this homicide please contact Sheriff's Homicide Detectives at (916) 874-5115 or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP. You can remain anonymous and be eligible for up to a 1,000.00 dollar reward.


• Stephan Elaine Brophy - Obituary The Sacramento Bee, July 13, 2005.


• Capitol Morning Report of July 12, 2005, see page 3 for article about Stephan. Reprinted with permission of Capitol Morning Report.


• "Woman dies in car theft, Stephan Brophy is run over as her son's auto is stolen," The Sacramento Bee, July 12, 2005.

Remembrances

Funeral services for Stephan Brophy were held:
Saturday, July 16, 2005, 11 a.m.
Price Funeral Chapel
6335 Sunrise Blvd.

I was absolutely shocked and stunned to hear of the vicious murder of Stephan Brophy. I met Stephan several years ago at a SiOC luncheon, and would come to see her not only at SiOC events but also at my own media breakfast events where she was always so complimentary and encouraging.

When I think of Stephan I remember her kind eyes, her constant smile, and just the warmth that radiated from her soul. The world lost a beautiful and kind-hearted person, we all lost a friend.

There are three quotes I'd like to share in Stephan's memory, I think these reflect upon her beauty and passion for equality and justice.

"Justice will only be achieved when those who are not injured by crime feel as indignant as those who are." - King Solomon

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of it for another." - Charles Dickens

"To love for the sake of being loved is human, but to love for the sake of loving is angelic." - Alphonse de' Lamartine

Stephan, a believer in justice who lightened others burdens with her kind spirit and giving ways, an angel on earth and now forever with the Lord. May her spirit live on in our hearts and ways. God bless her family and give them strength each day.

Trina Laird
Business Wire

Although I only had a brief meeting with Stephan, I was very impressed with her graciousness and welcoming personality. We need more people like her. God bless,

FRANK LOSCO, Chief
Office of Public Affairs
Prison Industry Authority

Stephan was a unique individual who I am proud to have known. She overcame challenges that most of us could not even imagine. Each time she overcame a challenge she came back that much stronger.

Stephan was a real person. She got to know you not just the surface. She knew my hobby of collecting Frogs and I would often find Frogs (not live ones!) in my office, and I knew they could have only come from one person here.

Stephan truly cared for people. It didn't matter what was happening in her own life she empathized when she saw someone in pain.

I will always remember her smile, and her twinkling eyes when she was up to something. I always appreciated her creativity and her love of journalism. That was where her heart was, and I wish that the Department could have continued to utilize her gifts.

The loss of her life was tragic and senseless. I only hope the individual who did this is caught. In my mind I can hear Stephan yelling at the creep to get out of the car. She had such a keen sense of what she believed was right and wrong. And when she saw a wrong she spoke up about it.

Anita C. Fearman
Fair Employment and Housing
CIO/Business Services Manager

I'm glad we are honoring Stephan's memory by giving this year's SiOC scholarship in her honor. The scholarship is designed to encourage new people to join our profession while Stephan focused on encouraging new people to join SiOC. She also really wanted us to make new members feel welcome. And, like the scholarship that will be named after her, Stephan wanted SiOC to contribute to the experience and education of each of its members.

Stephan not only had a good heart, she was determined. She would not let her challenges with transportation keep her from serving for a second year as our secretary.

Her death was senseless and untimely. But we who served with her will not forget her or her contribution to SiOC.

Chris Davis
SiOC Past President
Information Officer
California Energy Commission

Stephan Brophy was a unique spirit. I first met her as the official greeter and cheerleader of SiOC, where she took on the mission of making everyone feel both welcome and a great addition to SiOC. Stephan was always so enthusiastic about everything she did, and went out of her way to call me about information she thought I'd be interested in. It was her curiosity about life, her profession, and people she met along the way that made her so unique. Stephan would make you feel so special when you were with her, and it wasn't until after you left that you realized it was SHE who was the special one.

I got to know Stephan even better the last couple months when she was a student in the UC Davis Strategic Communications class I teach. She was a spark in the class, always showing a keen interest in the subject matter and energetically participating in discussions. At the first class, I had jokingly remarked that I would accept bribes from students. The next week, I found a small box of Sees Candy on my desk, with no note. But when I looked over the students, I knew instantly from her twinkling eyes and barely concealed smile that she was the guilty one. When I asked her what it was for, she merely said, "It's a bribe." Funny, nice and full of life - that was Stephan. My heart goes out to her two kids, but hopefully they will know through notes what a special person their mother was to those of us she made feel special.

Patti Roberts
Information Officer
Department of Consumer Affairs
Communications and Education

Stephan is the one who convinced me to join SiOC, even though I'm with the county! She was a down-to-earth, outgoing, fun lady. She had the ability to make you feel comfortable and important.

Kerri Aiello
Information Officer
Sacramento County

Stephan was quick with a smile, completely disarming, and a lovely lady. She will be sorely missed by her friends and SiOC family.

Bob Aldrich
Webmaster, SiOC Website
California Energy Commission

This is a great loss to our board and to the members of our association. Stephan served the membership with unlimited enthusiasm, charm and humility. She will be sorely missed.

Sheryl Tankersley
SiOC President
Governor's Office of Emergency Services