Charlotte, NC – Brandon David Braxton, a former Duke University football player, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and robbery in connection with the killing of 32-year-old Whitney Elizabeth Hurd. Hurd’s body was discovered stabbed to death in her south Charlotte townhome in July 2024.
Braxton, 33, of Charlotte, was arrested late Thursday and is currently being held without bond in the Mecklenburg County Jail. According to court records, Braxton is accused of fatally stabbing Hurd inside her home on Werburgh Street. After the murder, he allegedly stole her BMW and iPhone.
Braxton, who played for Duke from 2010 to 2013 as a wide receiver and safety, was a two-time Academic All-ACC selection. He was also ranked among the top wide receiver prospects in the nation and had an impressive high school career, playing at Providence High in Charlotte and St. Ignatius High in Cleveland, Ohio.
His father, David Braxton, also had a distinguished football career, playing defensive end for Wake Forest before being drafted in the second round by the Minnesota Vikings in 1989. David Braxton also played for the Phoenix (Arizona) Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bengals during his six-season career.
In addition to the murder charges, Brandon Braxton has several other charges pending. According to The Charlotte Observer, Braxton faces charges from 2024, including assaulting a woman in October and indecent exposure on the same day.
Braxton’s arrest marks a significant turn in the investigation, and authorities are continuing to work on the case.
