Police in Florida have made an arrest following the discovery of a woman's body on a popular beach the day after Christmas. The suspect is facing a series of serious charges including kidnapping and sexual battery.
Charges Filed in Hollywood Beach Death
Brandon Ward McCray, aged 28, was taken into custody by Hollywood Police and U.S. Marshals this week. He has been formally charged with sexual battery, battery by strangulation, simple battery, and kidnapping in connection with the death of 56-year-old Heather Asendorf.
Asendorf's body was found in the sand near Cleveland Street on Hollywood Beach at approximately 7 am on 26 December. A member of the public walking in the area made the grim discovery and alerted the authorities. First responders who attended the scene pronounced the woman dead at the location.
An Active and Ongoing Investigation
Following an examination, detectives confirmed that foul play was involved in Asendorf's death. The specific evidence linking McCray to the crime has not been made public, as his arrest warrant remains sealed according to local reports.
In an official statement, the Hollywood Police Department emphasised that "this case remains an active criminal investigation." They sought to reassure the local community, adding, "There is no indication of a broader threat to the community."
Individuals with any information related to the case are urged to contact the Hollywood Police Department directly on 954-967-4636.
Suspect's Background and Current Status
As of Monday, 5 January 2026, McCray is being held at the Broward Main Jail. Court records show his bond has been set at $770,000.
This is not McCray's first encounter with the law in Broward County. According to the Miami Herald, he has a pending case for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. That charge stems from an incident on 26 September 2023, in Pembroke Pines, where he was accused of firing shots at two employees attempting to repossess his Mitsubishi Outlander.
