On December 12, 1990, the night before her 32nd birthday, Norine Higuchi Brown, a mother of two from New Hyde Park, New York, disappeared during a late-night grocery run.
According to her husband, John Brown, then a firefighter, she left their home around 11 p.m., following an argument, to buy cookie ingredients and never returned. The following morning, Norine's car was found locked in the parking lot of a Pathmark grocery store, with Christmas presents inside, and $45 in her pocketbook, all in the the back seat. Her purse, wallet, and ID however, were left at home.
According to Brown's friend, Elaine Comando, Norine and her husband, John had a tumultuous marriage, which led to suspicions that he may have something to do with his wife's disappearance. Suspicions arose further when her husband reportedly did not participate in the search, and hired a lawyer to speak for him rather than speak to authorities and the media himself about the case, and a well was also sealed off at their backyard. This well remained unexcavated despite being deemed a “place of interest” in 2019.
As of 2025, the Nassau County Police Department continues its investigation. Norine Brown’s case is still open and unsolved. Her family and advocates continue to seek justice, urging authorities to revisit the site and keep the investigation active.
John Brown is now remarried and has never been named a suspect in the disappearance of Norine Brown.
