Unforgotten CasebookThe cases. The books. The screen stories.California, United States · 1985
The story behind If You Really Loved Me
Fourteen-year-old Cinnamon Brown shot her stepmother, Linda, in California in 1985 and initially took responsibility. Investigators later uncovered a plot directed by Cinnamon’s father, David Brown, who stood to benefit financially. The case revealed how he manipulated his daughter into killing and accepting the blame, leading to further convictions.
Content note: violence, abuse, or loss. Linked material may contain graphic descriptions. Screen dramatizations may change events and dialogue.
California, United States. The map provides regional context; individually verified historical places are listed below.
Map sources checked September 14, 2026. No case-specific Odd Stops location was found in this review.
“No verified match” describes the accessible material found in this review, not proof that a source has never covered the case. MAP’s anonymous records were not individually matched to people.
See the full case checklist →The map shows regional context for this case. No individually sourced historical place is included below.
Scripted stories and fictional inspirations. Scenes, characters, and dialogue can differ from the record.
1991 · dramatized miniseries
A dramatized screen interpretation of this case. Compare it with the nonfiction account; characters, dialogue, and chronology may differ. Check the listing for regional availability.
Viewing options & episode details ↗IMDb · title/episode listing
Dramatized screen account. Follow the link for the title listing or available viewing options; scenes and dialogue may be adapted.
Credits & title details on IMDb ↗Ann Rule
A nonfiction account of this case. See the linked edition for publication details and available formats.
Explore this bookWatch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
A verified movie listing has not been added yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.Watch links, previews, and historical title listings are identified below. Availability varies by service and region; rentals or subscriptions may be required.
1991 · dramatized miniseries
A dramatized screen interpretation of this case. Compare it with the nonfiction account; characters, dialogue, and chronology may differ. Check the listing for regional availability.
Viewing options & episode detailsIMDb · title/episode listing
Dramatized screen account. Follow the link for the title listing or available viewing options; scenes and dialogue may be adapted.
Credits & title details on IMDbIMDb · TV episode
IMDb episode reference connected to the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Listed release: 2004. Cast, credits, and title information; viewing availability is separate.
Credits & title details on IMDbOriginal newspaper coverage, hosted by Newspapers.com. Read each article in the context of its publication date; later findings may differ. Full-page access may require sign-in.
Featured newspaper clipping
Read a featured clipping here, then explore more reporting in the newspaper archive.
The Los Angeles Times · 1988-12-20 · Page 74
Court reporting records Cinnamon Brown’s testimony that her father arranged the killing of Linda Brown.
Published during David Brown’s preliminary hearing; he had pleaded not guilty.
Search original reporting, follow the trial, and compare how newspapers covered the case over time.
Explore more on Newspapers.comNewspapers.com controls access to its archive. A subscription may be required; existing subscribers can sign in.
Los Angeles Times
Linked reporting or commentary. Read the source date for its historical context; access may require a subscription.
Read sourceDirect links open the selected episode in Apple Podcasts or on its publisher’s site. Some editions may require a subscription.
Morbid
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released January 22, 2021. About 61 minutes.
Listen to the episodeRotten Mango
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released July 28, 2021. About 90 minutes.
Listen to the episodeOnce Upon A Crime
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released October 9, 2023. About 56 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCasefile True Crime
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released October 25, 2025. About 110 minutes.
Listen to the episodeInhuman: A True Crime Podcast
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released May 26, 2026. About 41 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCan’t Handle The Crime And Scandal
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released March 24, 2024. About 49 minutes.
Listen to the episodeKiller Destinations
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released April 29, 2025. About 33 minutes.
Listen to the episodeDark Hearts with Stacy Lee
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released March 30, 2026. About 31 minutes.
Listen to the episodeHorror Wine & Crime
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released January 16, 2023. About 114 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCrime Scholar
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released January 30, 2019. About 73 minutes.
Listen to the episodeCrime & Comedy
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released May 18, 2025. About 132 minutes.
Listen to the episodeBuried Motives
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released July 14, 2022. About 72 minutes.
Listen to the episodeTrue Crime Cases with Lanie
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released September 2, 2024. About 42 minutes.
Listen to the episodeDrinking The Cool Aid
Podcast coverage of the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Released November 21, 2021. About 64 minutes.
Listen to the episodeOutside blogs, personal essays, and creator write-ups. These reflect each author’s perspective. Check publication dates and compare claims with reporting and court records.
True Crime Stories · Blog / essay
An outside blog or essay discussing Linda & Cinnamon Brown. Read the author’s analysis alongside the dated reporting and court sources in this case guide. Some publishers require a subscription.
Read the blog or essayIndividual records from Internet Archive: library books, historical broadcasts, and preserved web pages. A catalog listing does not guarantee free reading or full playback. Access, previews, and borrowing are controlled by Internet Archive.
Internet Archive · Library record · 1991
Rule, Ann. A library catalog record for a book connected with Linda & Cinnamon Brown. The record may offer a preview or borrowing options; full reading access is not guaranteed.
View the library recordThis section is awaiting its first entry.
New material will appear here after editorial review.Court opinions, filings, transcripts, and dockets, alongside clearly labeled parole records, released investigative files, and courtroom recordings. Each item identifies its source and scope. Allegations in filings are not findings of guilt. These selections are not complete case files. Where an online document could not be verified, a separate guide identifies the records office or archive to contact.
The appellate opinion examines David Brown’s role in Linda Brown’s murder and the testimony concerning Cinnamon Brown and Patti Bailey.
No sourced nickname has been added for this case.
New material will appear here after editorial review.The latest information verified for this collection is listed below. Each source has its own date; these are not live custody records.
A current-status update has not been verified for this case yet.
New material will appear here after editorial review.Documented laws, advocacy, and reforms connected to this case. Changes do not undo the harm, and listing a law does not claim that it is effective or universally supported.
No case-specific law, reform, or advocacy initiative has been verified for this collection yet. This does not mean that none exists.
New material will appear here after editorial review.
07Social Media
5 itemsCase videos, posts, family pages, and creator communities. Creator channels and groups cover multiple cases; each includes a link to the relevant episode. Facebook or TikTok may require sign-in, and groups may require membership approval. Community opinions are separate from verified reporting.
Once Upon A Crime | True Crime
💔 Cinnamon Brown: A Daughter Manipulated Into Murder | A Family Affair
Video from Once Upon A Crime | True Crime covering the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Length: 55:31.
Watch on YouTubeTrue Crime And Cocktails
Episode 167: Cinnamon Brown
Video from True Crime And Cocktails covering the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Length: 2:10:22.
Watch on YouTubeOxygen
Father's Behavior at Murder Trial Raises Suspicions | Real Murders of Orange County (S3 E9) | Oxygen
Video from Oxygen covering the Linda & Cinnamon Brown case. Length: 9:51.
Watch on YouTubeTikTok · Creator channel
Dark Hearts with Stacy Lee — TikTok channel
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “The Doghouse Confession: Cinnamon Brown murders her stepmother but that's only half the story.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the TikTok channelFacebook · Creator channel
Buried Motives — Facebook page
Linked by this creator in the episode notes for “Daddy's Little Fall-Girl: Cinnamon Brown.” This creator channel covers multiple cases. The matching case episode is linked below. The platform may ask you to sign in.
Visit the Facebook page