Former Duke player confesses to gruesome murder while in custody on unrelated charge, police say

A former Duke University football player, Brandon Braxton, has reportedly confessed to killing Whitney Hurd, a 32-year-old Charlotte real estate agent and his former high school friend. Hurd was found dead in her South Park neighborhood townhome on July 14 last year, with multiple stab wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide.

On March 3 of this year, Braxton allegedly submitted a written grievance to jail officials in which he stated, "I killed Whitney Hurd." Police had found Hurd's vehicle and phone missing when they discovered her body. A neighbor reported seeing a man driving Hurd's white BMW away on the afternoon of July 4, 2024, emphasizing that Hurd typically did not allow anyone else to drive her car.

The investigation led detectives to obtain Hurd's phone data, which helped locate her vehicle, though her phone was not found. Fingerprints collected from the vehicle placed Braxton at both Hurd’s residence and inside her car. Friends of Hurd mentioned that while she and Braxton had once been close in high school, they had lost touch until he began showing up at her home recently.

Braxton, who played as a wide receiver for Duke from 2010 to 2013, had previous incidents involving Hurd, including a drunken confrontation where he fell asleep in her driveway. He was arrested multiple times for unrelated offenses, but the situation escalated when he was ultimately charged with first-degree murder and robbery on March 20.

Hurd was remembered as a vibrant individual in her community, described in her obituary as a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend with an infectious smile. Braxton’s case continues to unfold as authorities process evidence against him following his admission of guilt.