Suvechha Sarkar
The episode titled ‘My Uncle Joe’s Murder’ of CBS’ ’48 Hours’ offers a detailed look into the murder of the 51-year-old photographer and father, Joseph Anthony Shymanski, lovingly known as Joe. The episode features several interviews with his loved ones, one of whom is his niece, Janine Shymanski. She fostered a special bond with her uncle, but when he suddenly passed away, it left her completely grief-stricken. She speaks up about her suspicions that someone else was involved in the murder of Joe and how his untimely demise left their family to seek justice.
Janine Shymanski Lost Joe Forever After He Went Missing in 2023
The day of September 4, 2023, began normally for Janine Shymanski. That changed when she received a call from her father, who informed her that her beloved uncle, Joseph Anthony Shymanski, affectionately known as Joe, was missing. While speaking about the time she received the news, Janine recalled, “I knew right away that something really sinister had happened.” It wasn’t until September 5 that the detectives found bloodstains on Joe’s driveway and uncovered CCTV footage showing a white truck in his driveway. Furthermore, reports state that investigators learned from Joe’s ex-wife, Heather Nicole Snyder, that she dated Brandon Ross Holbrook, who had animosity towards her ex-husband. Ultimately, on September 5, officials found the dismembered and burnt remains of Joe in a wooded location behind Brandon’s home.
With CCTV footage showing him disposing of Joe’s remains and a license plate reader placing him at the scene around the time Joe’s neighbor heard gunshots, authorities arrested him on September 6. He was charged with the murder of Joe and other related charges. Brandon was convicted of all his charges on April 9, 2025, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 18. Following the sentencing, Janine expressed her joy, writing, “Officially received our first step of justice since the last year and a half— Watched this man get cuffed 5ft in front of our eyes today and can’t describe a better feeling. Justice for Joe, feeling happy tears for the first time in forever.” In the show, Janine alleged that she felt Heather might have been involved in Joe’s murder.
Janine Balances Her Marketing Career With Her Mission to Uphold Joe’s Legacy
Before tragedy struck her family, Janine Shymanski was quietly laying the groundwork for her career. She graduated from Stevenson High School in May 2018 and then enrolled at Michigan State University in January 2019. There, she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising Management with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Although Janine graduated in April 2022, she had stepped into the workforce long before that. In September 2021, she became an Executive Suite Attendant at the Detroit Pistons, balancing her studies and work with remarkable dedication until October 2023. While working there, Janine also joined Insight Global as a Technical Recruiter in August 2022.
At that position, Janine managed job requisitions and made 40 outbound calls daily until she moved on in May 2023. Five months later, she transitioned to a role that held deep personal meaning — as a Sales Marketing Consultant for AJ Photography. It is the company that was founded by her uncle, Joe, along with his partner, Alton McDougle. At the venture, Janine helps bring Joe’s vision to life by managing social media, assisting with their website content, and editing. The company’s website officially went live on November 1, 2023. A few months later, in March 2024, they launched an updated version of the website featuring a clothing line, LLJ Apparel, on Saint Joseph’s Day. Janine is also a board member of the Joe Shymanski Memorial Scholarship Fund.
It is established to protect Joe’s legacy and help high school students pursue their studies in media and photography. In a touching tribute, Janine even shared that 50% of the sale profits of LLJ apparel would go towards the scholarship fund. Her passion for creativity and business didn’t stop there, as she joined Robert Half in February 2024 as a Technology Client Solutions Manager. Through hard work, Janine rose through the ranks to become a Marketing and Creative Client Solutions Manager by May 2025. It is a role she proudly continues to hold today. Through her career, Janine not only honors her uncle’s memory but also embodies the perseverance that defined him.
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Janine a Peaceful Life Surrounded by Family, Partner, and Fond Memories
In her personal life, Janine still carries the ache of losing her beloved uncle. It lingers in her memories and the work she continues to do in his honor. When she speaks about him, her words are filled with love, recalling, “My uncle Joe’s creativity made his photography so special. He had the eye of a child. His sense of humor was unmatched, and it really showed through all of his art.” Janine endured another heartbreak when her grandmother passed away. She expressed her grief for her loss, writing, “Sunset on the day you left us, Gram. We love you forever & will miss you down here!”
However, through it all, Janine’s family remains her strongest foundation. She shares a close bond with her parents, Thaddeus AKA Ted and Heather Glennie, and her siblings, Henry and Evelyn. Whether it’s celebrating milestones and holidays together or simply enjoying a quiet evening, she treasures every moment spent with them. She also never misses a chance to shower Joe’s children, June and Jay, with love and affection. Apart from that, the love of her life, Vinny, is also a meaningful part of her journey. They have been in a relationship seemingly since her high school days, and the duo has shared many beautiful memories since then.
Whenever Janine and Vinny get a chance, they find themselves enjoying their time by the beach, soaking in the sun. In May 2021, the latter likely joined the military and went away for his basic training. During that time, Janine had expressed how deeply she missed his presence. In October 2025, the couple spent a lovely day at a local pub with Vinny’s mother, Leslie Anne, cherishing simple, meaningful moments. Outside of work, she finds peace in cuddling with her furry pup, who brings her comfort every day. Despite all she has faced, Janine has built a life surrounded by love, resilience, and purpose.
