A man is in custody following the disturbing discovery of a woman’s body on a Florida beach last week. Authorities have charged him with kidnapping and sexually assaulting the victim.

On December 30, police apprehended 28-year-old Brandon McCray in Hollywood, just days after the body of 56-year-old Heather Asendorf was found concealed beneath a tarp on a local beach. According to Us Weekly, McCray emerged as a key suspect early in the investigation, as he was known to have had a prior connection with Asendorf.

Details regarding the nature of McCray and Asendorf’s relationship have not been made public.

In an interview with the Sun Sentinel, a friend of Asendorf revealed that she had been staying at a nearby hotel, approximately a block away from where her body was discovered. The friend mentioned that he last saw Asendorf on December 24, when she was enjoying herself, dancing at the Hollywood Beach Bandshell.

“She was a really sweet girl. Everybody really liked her. She did her own dance,” the friend shared, reflecting on Asendorf’s personality.

The news outlet reported that Asendorf was from Pennsylvania, but she was in Hollywood for a few weeks to visit friends in the area.

A week before Asendorf’s body was discovered, McCray was arrested on an outstanding warrant for disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer in 2023. He bonded out of jail the next day, according to the Sun Sentinel.

McCray is charged with sexual assault on a victim over 12 years in age, kidnapping, battery by strangulation, and simple battery. His bond was set at $770,000.

[Feature Photo: Facebook; Broward County police]