Missing Maryland Photographer Found Murdered; Ex-Wife Suspected In Case

CALVERT COUNTY, Maryland — The investigation into Joe Shymanski’s murder began on September 4, 2023, when sheriff’s deputies responded to a missing persons call at his home. Heather Snyder, Shymanski’s ex-wife, arrived at 7 p.m. to drop off their two children but found no sign of him.

An initial search found Shymanski’s car in the driveway, along with his keys and phone inside the house. Authorities, suspecting something was amiss, began to investigate and even utilized a drone in their search.

Heather expressed confusion when deputies arrived, stating that everything felt weird. “He usually just comes right out,” she said on bodycam footage. As the dating progressed, authorities became concerned when officers could not locate Shymanski.

Neighbors, Alison and Colton Pounsberry, recalled seeing Shymanski the day before, helping with home renovations. Both claimed they did not notice any signs of distress that night. After extensive searching, blood was discovered in the driveway the following morning, indicating potential foul play.

Authorities turned their attention to Brandon Holbrook, Heather’s former boyfriend. Inquiries revealed that Holbrook had a history of indecent exposure and had allegedly been seen on surveillance footage near Shymanski’s home on the day he went missing.

Following Holbrook’s arrest on September 6, investigators searched his truck and found evidence consistent with a homicide, including plastic sheeting and potential bloodstains. The search later extended to a nearby wooded area where partial human remains were discovered.

The remains were eventually confirmed to be Shymanski’s, revealing he had died from a gunshot wound to the head, classified as a homicide. As prosecutors built their case against Holbrook, they emphasized his relationship with Heather Snyder as a significant factor during trial.

During the trial, Heather Snyder’s involvement was scrutinized, as she had previously denied any relationship with Holbrook at the time of the killing. However, text messages surfaced that suggested otherwise. Many in Shymanski’s family believed Snyder played a role in orchestrating the murder.

Despite the circumstantial evidence against Holbrook, his defense team argued for his innocence, claiming there was little direct evidence linking him to the murder scene. They focused heavily on Heather’s behavior after the crime and her statements to the police.

After 80 minutes of deliberation, the jury found Holbrook guilty of first-degree murder. At sentencing, he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. However, the ongoing speculation about Heather Snyder’s potential involvement continues, with authorities remaining tight-lipped about future investigations.