Home US Major update on the gruesome murder of the glamorous North Carolina real estate agent found dead in her mansion

Major update on the gruesome murder of the glamorous North Carolina real estate agent found dead in her mansion

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The lifeless body of Charlotte real estate agent Whitney Hurd, 32, was discovered last July in her luxury SouthPark mansion after her family reported her missing

A major breakthrough has occurred in the gruesome murder of a glamorous North Carolina real estate agent who was found “wrapped in bloody bedsheets” in her luxury mansion.

The lifeless body of Charlotte real estate agent Whitney Hurd, 32, was discovered in her luxury South Park home last July after her family reported her missing.

According to an autopsy report released in October, she was brutally stabbed to death in the chest.

After six months without an update, the police finally have a lead in the case.

Brandon Braxton, 34, a man with a troubling criminal history, has been named a person of interest, according to a search warrant on unrelated charges.

Braxton is currently behind bars in the Mecklenburg County Jail on unrelated charges.

His troubling criminal history includes charges of theft, simple assault, property damage and indecent exposure.

It is unclear whether he has entered a plea to these charges, and their respective cases are still ongoing.

The lifeless body of Charlotte real estate agent Whitney Hurd, 32, was discovered last July in her luxury SouthPark mansion after her family reported her missing

Brandon Braxton, 34, a man with a disturbing criminal past, has been named a person of interest in the chilling case (July 24, 2024)

Brandon Braxton, 34, a man with a disturbing criminal past, has been named a person of interest in the chilling case (July 24, 2024)

Just last week, as investigators were building their case in Hurd’s murder, Braxton was arrested for allegedly stealing from a woman and punching a man in the face, adding to his lengthy criminal record.

Lindsey Newsome was at a dog adoption fundraiser at a south Charlotte restaurant when she said she had a terrifying encounter with Braxton.

“He started talking to me a little bit and said he wanted to adopt a dog,” Newsome said WSOC TV.

What started as an innocent conversation quickly turned frightening.

‘I screamed for help. I said, ‘He has my money, he has my money. Can you help me?” she recalled after Braxton allegedly grabbed her bag and fled.

A good Samaritan tackled Braxton near a hotel and put him in a chokehold until police arrived – before he was punched in the face by the suspect.

‘I was just scared. I was in shock,” Newsome said of the ordeal.

Court records show a disturbing pattern of alleged violence that has escalated recently.

Brandon Braxton's mugshot from January 2

Brandon Braxton's other mugshot from his recent arrest

Brandon Braxton's mugshot from October 2024

Braxton’s history of violence has continued to escalate in recent months. Just last week, as investigators were building their case in Hurd’s murder, Braxton was arrested for allegedly stealing from a woman and punching a man in the face — adding to his lengthy criminal record.

In the days before the fundraising incident, Braxton reportedly threw a rock through a man’s window in Ballantyne, punched a man in the face at a gas station in the same area and shattered a Harris Teeter window on Providence Road with a rock.

Police documents show Braxton is known for “random acts of violence.”

Just months after Hurd’s death, Braxton was arrested again in October – this time for indecent exposure.

Search warrants show investigators discovered “clothing, shoes and a knife” during a search of Braxton’s property.

A subsequent order requesting DNA swabs stated that there was “probable cause that a homicide has occurred and that Brandon David Braxton’s DNA…is evidence of that homicide.”

Despite mounting evidence, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have not officially named any suspects in Hurd’s death.

He will remain in custody for the time being on unrelated charges.

Hurd, described by friends as a vibrant 32-year-old in Charlotte’s competitive real estate market, disappeared without a trace on July 11, 2024.

Her luxury BMW, which sparked a citywide search, was found a week later in circumstances that police kept quiet

Her luxury BMW, which sparked a citywide search, was found a week later in circumstances that police kept quiet

The desperate search for the beloved real estate agent came to a tragic end when a private investigator hired by her family made the gruesome discovery.

“I’m helping the family search for a missing daughter… the body is here,” the investigator told 911 operators in a terrifying call that would mark the start of a six-month investigation.

The young real estate agent’s body was found “wrapped in a pile of bloody bedding” in her townhome on Werburgh Street in the exclusive Magnolia Park community.

Her luxury BMW, which sparked a citywide search, was found a week later in circumstances that police kept quiet.

“It was something we’re not used to in this area,” said Carolina Harris, a neighbor who lives just a few doors away from the crime scene. WBTV.

Another resident, Tyler Everett, expressed the community’s growing discomfort.

“I’m almost the same age, so you don’t think that’s possible,” Everett told WBTV.

“It was devastating for everyone around here and to not know anything is of course also worrying.”

Investigators looked into Hurd’s activity on the dating app Hinge, where her mother revealed that she was “active” and “talking to different men” before her death.

The young real estate agent's body was found 'wrapped in a pile of bloody bedding' in her townhouse on Werburgh Street in the exclusive Magnolia Park neighbourhood.

The young real estate agent’s body was found ‘wrapped in a pile of bloody bedding’ in her townhouse on Werburgh Street in the exclusive Magnolia Park neighbourhood.

But it was fingerprints that led authorities to Braxton, court documents show.

“They had been friends since high school and Whitney has always been generous and loving to anyone in need.”

Since the gruesome murder, community members have expressed their growing fears.

“I live only half a mile from where Whitney lived and am terrified to go out alone now. I also went to high school with her and remember her as a sweet, beautiful person. If anyone who knows her reads this, I would help organize something for justice and awareness,” one resident wrote.

Her obituary describes Hurd as a vibrant young woman whose life was cut short.

Hurd, a proud 2014 graduate of Providence High School and the University of South Carolina, was remembered for her “infectious smile and laugh.”

She was a devoted aunt to her cousin Camden and niece Catherine, whom she loved dearly, and a loving member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.

She also cherished her adorable mini Bernadoodle, Luna, her obituary stated.

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