Nicole Crystal Sinkule
Murdered on Sunday, October 16, 2005
She was 25 years old
Nicole was a vibrant, sociable young woman, full of energy, humor, and zest for life. She connected easily with others and was known for her lively, determined, and sometimes stubborn nature.
She was a swimmer, loved music, and shared a particularly close bond with her sister. Nicole enjoyed driving fast, helping people experiencing homelessness, and had a deep love for people and life itself.
Nicole’s partner had a known history of domestic violence, abuse, and substance abuse.
In the year leading up to her death, her family noticed a change in her behavior. She did not share the details of what she was experiencing, saying only that he was “treating me badly.”
On the night of her murder, Nicole was asleep in her bed. She was particularly vulnerable at the time due to a leg injury. Her partner attacked her with a hammer while she slept, repeatedly striking her head and killing her.
Police had been called to the apartment following an argument between the couple about three hours before the murder. Nicole told the officers that no physical violence had occurred. After the officers left, her partner killed her. A neighbor later called the police again, and officers found Nicole dead.
In December 2005, Nicole’s parents established the Nicole Sinkule Foundation to raise awareness about domestic violence and help people experiencing abusive relationships through Nicole’s story.
Her family continues to campaign against her killer’s early release from prison.
In 2023, Nicole’s story received renewed attention through an episode of the podcast The First Degree, which explored her murder, her family’s experience, and their ongoing efforts to keep her killer behind bars.
Her killer was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole.
Courtesy of the family of Nicole Crystal Sinkule