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).
On December 30, 2025, 28-year-old Brandon McCray was arrested after a collaborative investigation led by multiple agencies into the death of Heather Asendorf, aged 56. Asendorf’s body was discovered on Hollywood Beach on the morning of December 26, 2025, under suspicious circumstances. According to local reports by WPLG, the Hollywood Police Department revealed that McCray had been arrested concerning the ongoing death investigation.
Although McCray has not been formally accused of Asendorf’s murder, court documents indicate he faces charges of two counts of armed sexual battery, kidnapping, and battery by strangulation. Police have informed WPLG that additional charges may soon be filed.
Hollywood police reported to local media that the department had collaborated with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force to locate and arrest McCray. He was detained at his residence without any complications and appeared in court for the first time on December 31, 2025.
Officers responded to a call about a body discovered at Hollywood Beach at 7 a.m. on December 26, where Asendorf was identified and pronounced dead at the scene. Originally from Pennsylvania, Asendorf was known to frequent Hollywood, Florida. Authorities have not disclosed any prior relationship between Asendorf and McCray.
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.
