NEED TO KNOW
- A 28-year-old Fla. man was recently arrested in connection with the death of a 56-year-old woman from Pennsylvania
- Brandon McCray faces a number of charges, including sexual battery, strangulation, and kidnapping — but not murder — in connection with the woman’s death
- Heather Asendorf’s body was discovered by a beach goer around 7 a.m. the day after Christmas
A Florida man has been charged in connection with the death of a 56-year-old woman found dead on a popular tourist beach the morning after Christmas, according to several new reports.
Local 10 news, Fox 13 and the Sun Sentinel reported over the weekend that Brandon Ward McCray was recently arrested in connection with the death of Heather Asendorf.
McCray, 28, was taken into custody on Dec. 31, 2025 and later charged with sexual battery, kidnapping, battery and battery by strangulation, according to Broward County court documents reviewed by PEOPLE. However, he has not been charged with murder in connection with the death of Asendorf, 56.
PEOPLE has reached out to the Hollywood Police Department for more information regarding McCray’s arrest and charges on Monday but did not immediately hear back.
Asendorf’s body was discovered around 7 a.m. the morning after Christmas by a person walking along Hollywood Beach, a popular tourist destination in the southeastern part of the state, according to Local 10.
Asendorf, who police reportedly said is from Pennsylvania, was pronounced dead at the scene, the outlet reported.
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Hollywood Police said in a statement that McCray and Asendorf appear to be “known to one another,” though it remains unclear what the nature of their relationship was, the Sun Sentinel reported.
Police later told Fox 13 in a statement that “this case remains an active criminal investigation.”
Court records reviewed by PEOPLE show McCray is currently being held without bond, McCray’s next court date is not listed on the Broward County Clerk’s website.
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