Suvechha Sarkar
Joseph Anthony Shymanski, lovingly known as Joe, was a beloved photographer, a loving brother, a dutiful father, and a caring uncle. Unfortunately, his life came to an abrupt halt in September 2023, when he suddenly went missing from his home in Huntingtown, Maryland. Just a day later, authorities discovered human remains about 200 miles away in Pennsylvania, which were later identified as his. CBS’ ’48 Hours: My Uncle Joe’s Murder’ delves deeper into the circumstances leading up to the murder of the 51-year-old. It also explores the evidence and trial and features interviews with his loved ones.
Joe Shymanski’s Remains Were Discovered Around 200 Miles From His Home
Joseph Anthony Shymanski arrived as a beacon of light in the lives of his parents, Ed and Gail Shymanski, on November 11, 1971. He was affectionately known as Joe and was born in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Livonia, Michigan, while being inseparable from his siblings, Thaddeus AKA Ted, Mary, and Susan. Joe was always a person filled with love and creativity. During his time at Stevenson High School, he proudly took on the role of captain in the track and football teams. He even took a photo class there, which planted the seed of his passion for photography. Joe then proceeded to learn portrait shoots at Focal Point Studio before pursuing his higher studies at the University of Michigan. During his time there, he became a photographer at The Michigan Daily. Joe stepped into his professional life as a Secondary School Social Studies Teacher.
Ultimately, Joe established a reputation as a renowned photographer in Washington, D.C., where he relocated in the late 1990s. Joe even founded AJ Photography, along with his partner, Alton McDougle. Together, they sold his photographs at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill. Additionally, Joe worked as a renowned Special Events Photographer. Eventually, he met Heather Nicole Snyder, and they soon got married in the presence of their loved ones. The couple then settled down in Huntingtown, Maryland. Over the years, they welcomed their children, June and Jay, into the world. Sadly, Joe and Heather got a divorce after a few years, and they shared joint custody of their kids. On September 4, 2023, Heather went over to his house to drop off their children. However, she grew concerned when she couldn’t find him there.
Heather alerted Joe’s family and called 911 immediately. During the search of his property, officials found that his car was in the driveway, and his mobile phone and wallet were inside the house. The following day, forensic experts discovered bloodstains in the driveway consistent with human blood, leading them to suspect possible foul play. A technological lead led the investigators to Reedsville, Pennsylvania. There, they reportedly discovered burnt fragments of human remains in a wooded area and in a nearby open field. The dental records helped them identify the remains as those of Joe. According to court records, experts stated that his skull injury was consistent with gunshot trauma, and the evidence in the other human remains was “consistent with a saw cut.” They reportedly stated that Joe likely passed away on September 3.
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License Plate Data and CCTV Footage Led the Detectives to the Killer
During the investigation into the missing persons case, detectives questioned Heather. In her statements, she claimed that she grew concerned because Joe was quite serious about his children, and his absence on September 4, 2023, was unusual. She also informed the police that she had recently dated a man, Brandon Ross Holbrook, who, according to her statements, had allegedly expressed hostility against Joe, though the two men had never met. Court records indicate that Heather had been attempting to distance herself from Holbrook in the months leading up to the murder. While speaking with Joe’s neighbors, one of them reported hearing gunshots around 4:30 pm on September 3. Court records state that another neighbor last saw Joe when he visited her house around 4 pm on the same day. According to reports, a doorbell video captured a truck in Joe’s driveway around the time a neighbor heard gunshots.
Investigators then utilized license plate technology, which revealed that the truck belonged to Brandon. Moreover, reports state that license plate data showed it leaving the area a little after the gunshots were heard. On September 5, it led the detectives to Brandon’s house in Reedsville, Pennsylvania. There, they found his truck, which reportedly had a foul smell of decomposition emanating from its rear. During the search, they reportedly discovered blood and human remains from the back of the vehicle. Detectives also found cleaning supplies, including bleach containers, spray cleaners, and disposable gloves, inside his home. Aside from that, they uncovered a store receipt dated September 4. According to reports, when the CCTV footage of the store was reviewed, it showed Brandon purchasing cleaning supplies.
Additionally, investigators stated that the footage reportedly captured Brandon disposing of human remains in a nearby open field. The search conducted at the back of his home ultimately uncovered the burnt and dismembered remains of Joe. Based on the overwhelming evidence, he was arrested on September 6, 2023. Brandon was formally charged on November 20, 2023, with common-law murder (first-degree murder), first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and tampering with evidence. His jury trial began on March 31, 2025, and he was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder, use of a firearm in a violent crime, destruction or alteration of physical evidence, along with other related charges, on April 9. Brandon was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 18, 2025.
