A major breakthrough has developed in the gruesome murder of a glamorous North Carolina realtor who was found ‘wrapped in bloody bedding’ inside her luxury townhouse.

The lifeless body of Charlotte real estate agent Whitney Hurd, 32, was discovered in her upscale South Park home last July after she was reported missing by her family.

She was brutally stabbed to death in the chest, according to an autopsy report released in October.

After six months without an update, police finally have a lead in the case.

Brandon Braxton, 34, a man with a disturbing criminal past, has been named a person of interest, according to a search warrant of his home on unrelated charges.

Braxton is currently behind bars at Mecklenburg County Jail on unrelated charges.

His troubling criminal history includes allegations of misdemeanor larceny, simple assault, injury to real property and indecent exposure. 

It is unclear if he has entered a plea to those charges, and their respective case is still ongoing.

Brandon Braxton, 34, a man with a disturbing criminal past, has been named a person of interest in the chilling case (July 24, 2024)

Just last week, while investigators were building their case in Hurd’s murder, Braxton was arrested for allegedly stealing from a woman and punching a man in the face – adding to his lengthy criminal record. 

Lindsey Newsome was running a dog adoption fundraiser at a south Charlotte restaurant when she said she had a terrifying encounter with Braxton.

‘He started talking to me a little bit saying he had been wanting to adopt a dog,’ Newsome told WSOC-TV.

What started as an innocent conversation quickly turned frightening.

‘I was screaming for help. I said, ‘He’s got my money, he’s got my money. Can you help me?” she recalled after Braxton allegedly snatched her bag and fled.

A good Samaritan tackled Braxton near a hotel and held him in a chokehold until police arrived – before getting punched in the face by the suspect.

‘I was just scared. I was in shock,’ Newsome said of the ordeal.

Court records reveal a disturbing pattern of alleged violence that has escalated recently. 

Braxton’s violent history has continued to escalate in recent months. Just last week, while investigators were building their case in Hurd’s murder, Braxton was arrested for allegedly stealing from a woman and punching a man in the face – adding to his lengthy criminal record

In the days before the fundraiser incident, Braxton allegedly threw a brick through a man’s window in Ballantyne, punched a man in the face at a gas pump in the same area, and shattered a Harris Teeter window on Providence Road with a rock.

Police documents note Braxton is known for ‘random acts of violence.’

Just months after Hurd’s death, Braxton was arrested again in October – this time for indecent exposure.

Search warrants reveal that investigators discovered ‘clothing, shoes and a knife’ during a search of Braxton’s property.

A subsequent warrant requesting DNA swabs stated there was ‘probable cause that a murder has been committed and that the DNA of Brandon David Braxton… is evidence of that murder.’

Despite mounting evidence, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have not officially named suspects in Hurd’s death.

He is set to remain in custody in the meantime for those unrelated charges.

Hurd, described by friends as a vivacious 32-year-old in Charlotte’s competitive real estate market, vanished without a trace on July 11, 2024. 

Her luxury BMW, which had sparked a citywide search, was recovered a week later under circumstances police have kept quiet

The desperate search for the beloved realtor came to a tragic end when a private investigator hired by her family made the horrifying discovery.

‘I’m helping the family look for a missing daughter… the body’s here,’ the investigator told 911 operators in a haunting call that would mark the beginning of a six-month investigation.

The young realtor’s body was found ‘wrapped in a pile of bloody bedding’ inside her townhome off Werburgh Street in the exclusive Magnolia Park community.

Her luxury BMW, which had sparked a citywide search, was recovered a week later under circumstances police have kept quiet.

‘It was something we’re not used to happening in this area,’ Carolina Harris, a neighbor who lives just doors away from the crime scene, told WBTV.

Another resident, Tyler Everett, expressed the community’s growing unease.

‘I’m close to that same age so you don’t think of that being a possibility,’ Everett told WBTV.

‘It was devastating for everybody around here and to not know anything is obviously concerning as well.’

Investigators delved into Hurd’s activity on the dating app Hinge, where her mother revealed she ‘was active’ and ‘was talking to several different men’ before her death.

The young realtor’s body was found ‘wrapped in a pile of bloody bedding’ inside her townhouse off Werburgh Street in the exclusive Magnolia Park community 

But it was fingerprint evidence that led authorities to Braxton, court documents show.

‘They were friends since high school and Whitney has always been generous and loving to anyone in need.’

Since the gruesome murder, community members have expressed growing fears.

‘I live only half a mile from where Whitney did and am terrified of going out alone now. I went to high school with her as well and remember her as such a sweet, beautiful person. If anyone who knows her is reading this, I would help organize something for justice and awareness,’ one resident posted.

Her obituary describes Hurd as a vivacious young woman whose life was cut short.

A proud graduate of Providence High School and the University of South Carolina graduating in 2014, Hurd was remembered for her ‘infectious smile and laugh.’

She was a devoted aunt to her nephew Camden and niece Catherine, whom she adored deeply, and a loving member of Delta Delta Delta sorority.

She also cherished her cute mini Bernadoodle, Luna, her obituary states.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — We’re not even one month into 2025, and there’s already a second chance to see snowfall in central North Carolina.

Most of the week will be rather cold with temperatures in the 30s to 40s.

Spotty showers are likely on Sunday, amounting to 0.10 to 0.20 inches. This is not all that impactful for the region, and it’s too little rainfall to make any big dent in the drought conditions across the Triangle. The chance for any backside mixed in snowflakes Sunday afternoon looks fleeting, but you’re more likely to see it in far eastern portions of the viewing area.

Another chance for precipitation will be on Tuesday night (more snowy) and Thursday into Thursday night (more icy).

Tuesday: There can be a path of 1 to 3 inches of snow in the southern/eastern parts of central NC.

Thursday: There is a risk of some freezing rain at night, more likely in the eastern parts of central NC. Details beyond this are limited.

Click here for latest school closings

MORE COVERAGE

WATCH | First Alert to Winter Special 2024

The Ole Miss Rebels have made strong moves in the transfer portal this offseason, but the program missed out on a key contributor on Saturday when cornerback Thaddeus Dixon pledged to the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Ole Miss was in the race late for Dixon, but a deciding factor in his decision to join the Tar Heels may have boiled down to Carolina’s hiring of former Washington assistant Armond Hawkins as defensive backs coach. Dixon is a transfer from the Washington Huskies, so familiarity in his new home likely played a role.

READ MORE: Will Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons Continue Playing Baseball in 2025?

So, where do the Rebels go from here? Ole Miss has already gained some key pieces in its secondary out of the transfer portal (including CB Jaylon Braxton of Arkansas), but Lane Kiffin’s team will probably still be seeking some help in the defensive backfield as the transfer portal continues to move.

According to On3’s current transfer portal class rankings, Ole Miss has the third-best haul in the country, behind Texas Tech and Missouri. The Rebels have seen 23 players transfer into the program so far this offseason, and that number could continue to grow between now and kickoff of the 2025 season.

Ole Miss opens its 2025 campaign on Aug. 30 at home against Georgia State.

READ MORE Ole Miss Rebels News:

Ole Miss To Host Former Penn State WR Trey Wallace

Ole Miss Rebels DT Jamarious Brown Named Freshman All-American

Ole Miss Lands Former Louisville QB Pierce Clarkson Via Transfer Portal

Former Ole Miss Football Superstar AJ Brown Named AP All-Pro Second Team

The Pete Golding Effect: How Ole Miss Football Will Reload Defensively in 2025