A once-promising football star from Duke University is now at the center of a chilling homicide case that has shaken Charlotte. Brandon Braxton, 33, has been arrested and formally charged with the murder of his former high school classmate, 32-year-old Whitney Hurd — a beloved local realtor.
Hurd was found brutally stabbed to death in her upscale SouthPark townhome on July 14, 2024. Investigators say she suffered multiple stab wounds in what authorities are calling a violent and personal attack.
Braxton and Hurd were classmates at Providence High School but lost touch over the years. However, sources say Braxton began reappearing in Hurd’s life uninvited, showing up at her home on several occasions. In one troubling incident, he was discovered asleep in her driveway after being denied entry. In another, Hurd reportedly had to call police after Braxton attempted to break into her home.
Following Hurd’s death, her white BMW X3 and cellphone were missing. Witnesses reported seeing a man leaving her home in her vehicle on July 4, 2024. The car was later recovered, and forensic evidence — including fingerprints — linked Braxton to the vehicle.
Braxton was first questioned in August 2024 while in custody on unrelated charges. During that interview, he eerily admitted he knew what happened to Hurd and described her last moments as “petrified,” but declined to share further details.
The case took a major turn on March 3, 2025, when Braxton submitted a written confession via a jail kiosk stating, “I killed Whitney Hurd.” Surveillance footage confirmed he authored the message. He was officially charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon on March 20, 2025.
Braxton, who played wide receiver and safety for Duke University from 2010 to 2013, has had a troubled post-college life, facing multiple legal issues in recent years — including charges of assault, property damage, and larceny.
He is currently being held without bond at the Mecklenburg County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 9, 2025.
