Mystery as lady is discovered murdered on widespread Florida seaside with 28-year-old man charged over killing

Police have arrested a man in Florida following the discovery of a woman’s body on the beach the morning after Christmas Day.

Heather Asendorf, 56, was found lying on the sand by a passerby walking along Cleveland Street in Hollywood around 7am on December 26. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detectives said foul play is suspected but have not disclosed how she died.

Brandon McCray, 28, was taken into custody on December 30 with assistance from the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force. 

He faces charges of sexual battery, kidnapping, battery, and battery by strangulation. 

McCray is being held at Broward Main Jail on a bond of $770,000, according to jail records.

The body of Heather Asendorf, 56, (right) was found on the beach in Hollywood, Florida

Brandon McCray, 28, was taken into custody four days later in connection to the murder

Police said the investigation remains active but emphasized there is no broader threat to the public.

Asendorf, who was from Lemont, Pennsylvania, was known to visit the Hollywood Beach area. Authorities have not said whether she and McCray knew each other.

Court documents show McCray was previously accused of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in September 2023 after allegedly pulling a gun on a tow truck driver during a repossession. 

Pembroke Pines police later reported he fired shots at two employees during the same confrontation.

So far, McCray is not facing a murder charge, but Hollywood police told Local 10 that additional charges could be forthcoming. 

Authorities have not released details about what tied McCray to the case, and his arrest warrant is sealed on the Broward Clerk of Courts website.