Cyntoia Brown, who says that she was a 16-year-old sex-trafficking victim when she killed Nashville real estate agent Johnny Allen in 2004, was released on parole early Wednesday morning, according to the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
Earlier this year, former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam took the rare step of commuting her sentence, which paved the way for her release.
Investigators said that Brown shot Allen in the back of the head at close range with a gun. Brown was tried as an adult, convicted of first-degree murder and robbery and sentenced to life in prison.
Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Rihanna advocated for Brown’s freedom in 2017 with the viral hashtag #FreeCyntoiaBrown.
“I thank Governor and First Lady Haslam for their vote of confidence in me and with the Lord’s help I will make them as well as the rest of my supporters proud,” Brown said in a statement.
Brown will remain on parole supervision, on the condition she does not violate any state or federal laws, holds a job, and participates in regular counseling sessions, per her commutation.
