Crime trial begins for man accused of killing DC photographer
Mar 31, 2025
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The trial of Brandon Holbrook, accused of murdering and dismembering D.C. photographer Joe Shymanski, is expected to get underway Monday.
CALVERT COUNTY, Md. — The trial of Brandon Holbrook, the man accused of the brutal murder and dismemberment of well-known D.C. photographer Joe Shymanski, is set to begin Monday. Holbrook, who has been in custody since last year, rejected a plea deal and will now face trial in a Calvert County courtroom.
The case stems from the tragic events of Labor Day weekend in 2023, when Shymanski was reported missing by friends and family. An investigation led to Holbrook’s indictment on Nov. 20, 2023, by a Calvert County grand jury. Prosecutors allege that Holbrook drove from his home in Reedsville, Pennsylvania, to Shymanski’s residence in Calvert County, where he reportedly shot and killed the photographer in his driveway.
Surveillance footage and license plate readers placed Holbrook at the scene around the time a neighbor reported hearing gunshots. Prosecutors say Holbrook then transported Shymanski’s body to Pennsylvania, where gas station footage captured his truck on the night of the murder. Further video evidence allegedly shows Holbrook discarding human remains outside a Weis Market after purchasing cleaning supplies. Investigators later discovered Shymanski’s burnt remains in the woods behind Holbrook’s home.
A possible motive for the crime remains unclear, though investigators noted that Holbrook had previously been in a relationship with Shymanski’s ex-wife. The two had since separated, with the woman reportedly distancing herself from Holbrook in the months leading up to the murder.
With jury selection and opening statements set to begin this week, prosecutors will lay out the case against Holbrook, while his defense team prepares to challenge the evidence brought forward. The trial is expected to draw significant attention, as the shocking nature of the crime has left the D.C. and Calvert County communities in mourning.
