Republican President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House on Monday, vowing swift action on a host of issues that could impact nearly every American — and could have a particularly profound effect on North Carolina’s economy.

Reporter : Kelsey Coffey
Photographer : Mark Olexik
Web Editor : Jessica Patrick

Posted 2025-01-20T07:13:38-0500 – Updated 2025-01-20T07:13:38-0500

Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) officials announced on Sunday that they extended transitional sheltering assistance to families in western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.

According to FEMA, residents and families receiving hotel lodging while looking for alternative housing will be allowed to stay in hotels until May 25, with hotel check-out on May 26.

“This is a positive development,” North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said on X. “I pledge to work with the new administration to support displaced North Carolinians and help folks recover.”

The extension comes after reports of people being kicked out of hotels FEMA provided.

“If any survivors still need housing assistance or feel their TSA eligibility ended in error, they should immediately call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362,” FEMA said on Monday.

If you were impacted by this situation and would like to share your experience with WRAL, go to wral.com/reportit.

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.