CHARLOTTE, NC – Nearly a year has passed since Whitney Hurd was found brutally murdered in her home, and now an unexpected confession sheds light on the case. Former high school classmate Brandon Braxton, who had been detained in the Mecklenburg County Jail for an unrelated offense, reportedly admitted to killing the 32-year-old.
Braxton, 33, is facing a murder charge after allegedly submitting a note claiming responsibility for Hurd’s death on March 3. Authorities accessed video surveillance to confirm that Braxton was indeed the author of the note. This confession has prompted formal charges against Braxton, who was already a person of interest due to his extensive criminal background within North Carolina.
The investigation into Hurd’s death began on July 14, 2024, after her body was discovered in the early afternoon. Prior to this, a neighbor reported seeing someone driving Hurd’s BMW away from her residence without her — an unusual sight since Hurd was known for never letting others drive her car.
Further investigation using cellphone data led to the discovery of the abandoned vehicle, although Hurd’s phone was never found. The case delved deeper into the past relationship between Braxton and Hurd, who once connected as high school friends. Interviews revealed that the two had lost touch over the years, but Braxton had since reappeared in Hurd’s life in alarming ways.
The affidavit highlighted an interview with police dated August 8, 2024, where Braxton admitted to hanging out with Hurd during their school days. He also acknowledged visiting Hurd’s home but denied ever being in her vehicle.
Following Hurd’s murder, Braxton had just been released from jail for another crime and told police that he was aware of her death but chose not to elaborate further.
Friends and family of Hurd recalled Braxton’s troubling presence, noting he showed up uninvited at her home and once passed out drunk in her driveway when denied entry. These incidents preceded an alleged break-in at Hurd’s home by Braxton, which had prompted police involvement.
Physical evidence linked Braxton to the crime scene and Hurd’s vehicle, with fingerprints and phone records placing him in proximity around the time of her death. As the investigation unfolds, Braxton remains in Mecklenburg County Jail, held without bond on charges of first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon.