Background: News footage from the scene where Heather Asendorf was found dead on Dec. 26, 2025 (WPLG). Inset: Brandon McCray (Broward County Sheriff”s Office).

Brandon McCray, aged 28, was apprehended on December 30, 2025, after a collaborative investigation by multiple agencies into the death of 56-year-old Heather Asendorf. Asendorf’s body was located on Hollywood Beach on the morning of December 26, 2025, raising immediate suspicions of foul play. According to local news outlet WPLG, the Hollywood Police Department revealed days later that McCray had been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into her death.

Although McCray has not been formally charged with Asendorf’s murder, court documents indicate he faces serious accusations, including two counts of armed sexual battery, kidnapping, and battery by strangulation. WPLG further reported that law enforcement officials suggested additional charges could be forthcoming.

The Hollywood Police Department, in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, successfully located and arrested McCray at his residence without incident. McCray subsequently appeared in court for the first time on December 31, 2025.

Hollywood police told local news outlets that the department worked alongside the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force to find McCray. He was arrested at his home without incident. McCray made his first appearance in court on Dec. 31, 2025.

Police said officers responded to a report of a dead body found at Hollywood Beach at 7 a.m. on Dec. 26. Asendorf, a Pennsylvania native who was known to spend time in Hollywood, Florida, was later identified after being pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not provide details about whether Asendorf had a relationship with McCray before her death.

Local NBC affiliate WTVJ spoke to a witness who said that Asendorf’s body was found wrapped in a white blanket. Another witness who spoke to the station said that she saw a “blood trail” leading away from the body.

McCray is currently in custody at the Broward County Jail, where he is being held on $770,000 bond. His next court date was not made public.