Former Duke Football Player Confesses to Murder of High School Friend Whitney Hurd

Brandon Braxton, 33, admitted to the July 2024 killing of Charlotte realtor Whitney Hurd while in custody for unrelated charges, leading to his arrest on March 20, 2025.

Whitney Hurd, a 32-year-old real estate agent, was found dead in her Charlotte townhome with multiple stab wounds on July 14, 2024, and her death was ruled a homicide.
Brandon Braxton, a former Duke University football player and high school friend of Hurd, confessed to her murder in a written grievance submitted to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office on March 3, 2025.
Braxton was arrested on March 20, 2025, and charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon; he is being held without bond.
Hurd’s stolen car and Braxton’s fingerprints found at the crime scene and in the vehicle were key evidence linking him to the murder.
Braxton exhibited troubling behavior toward Hurd in the months before her death, including trespassing and breaking into her home; his next court appearance is scheduled for April 9, 2025.