Joseph Joe Anthony Shymanski, a 51-year-old White male photographer from Huntingtown, Maryland, was reported missing on September 4, 2023, after he failed to appear for a scheduled child custody exchange with his ex-wife. The last time anyone had seen the divorced father of two was at approximately 4 p.m. the previous day, September 3rd. His family immediately suspected something was wrong, stating that he would never have voluntarily left his children or his home without his phone and keys.
The Calvert County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation and soon discovered evidence of foul play in the driveway of Shymanski's residence, including blood spatter. A neighbor also reported hearing gunshots near the home on the evening of September 3rd. The investigation quickly led detectives nearly 400 miles away to Reedsville, Pennsylvania, where they identified 47-year-old Brandon Ross Holbrook as a suspect. Holbrook was romantically involved with Shymanski's ex-wife, Heather Snyder.
On September 6, 2023, Holbrook was arrested and subsequently charged with first- and second-degree murder, as well as first-degree assault. Investigators determined that Holbrook had driven from his home in Pennsylvania to Shymanski's home in Maryland, where he shot and killed him in his driveway. Holbrook, who had never met Shymanski, then placed his body in his truck and drove back to Pennsylvania. In a gruesome turn of events, Holbrook dismembered Shymanski's body and attempted to destroy the remains by burning them. Investigators later discovered what they believed to be Shymanski's remains in a wooded area near Holbrook's residence.
During the trial, it was revealed that Holbrook had a lengthy criminal history, including multiple convictions for sexual offenses. Text messages indicated that Shymanski's ex-wife was aware of Holbrook's past. Despite this, Holbrook had developed a relationship with Shymanski's children. The prosecution presented a timeline of Holbrook's movements, supported by surveillance footage, showing his vehicle near the crime scene. Although the murder weapon was never found, the forensic evidence, including the discovery of charred human remains identified through dental records, was compelling.
On April 9, 2025, after only 80 minutes of deliberation, a jury found Brandon Ross Holbrook guilty of first-degree murder. He was later sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. While a conviction has been secured, the precise motive for this brutal crime remains unclear. Shymanski's family has expressed that they believe his ex-wife knows more about the circumstances leading to his death than she has admitted. As of now, she has not been charged in connection with the murder.
