REEDSVILLE, Pa. — A Central Pennsylvania man has been charged with the murder of a Washington D.C.-area photographer who is missing and considered dead, authorities in Maryland and Pennsylvania said Thursday.
Brandon R. Holbrook, 47 of Reedsville, Mifflin County, was arrested Wednesday on charges of first-degree homicide and other offenses relating to the disappearance of Joseph Anthony Shymanski, who was reported missing by family members on September 4, according to police in Calvert County, Maryland.
Lisa Hershey, who lives near the crime scene, said dozens of police officers were investigating Holbrook's home the day of his arrest.
“They went through his burn pit, they were checking out the garage, snapping pictures, you could see the flashes going off," said Hershey. "It’s just scary to see that right next door.”
The arrest shocked Chris Swyers, who would pass Holbrook’s house when driving to work.
“I never thought anything like this would happen, especially for that guy," said Swyers. "I didn’t really know him, but I waved to him. When I find out this, it’s different.”
Mifflin County Regional Police Chief Andre C. French said Thursday that human remains were located within several hundred yards of Holbrook's Mifflin County home.
"While DNA confirmation will take some time, we believe these human remains are the remains of the missing person from Calvert County, Maryland," French said in a statement.
A team of forensic anthropologists from Mercyhurst University are on the scene in the Reedsville area, along with detectives from Calvert County. Authorities are searching for specific video surveillance footage that will help their investigation and are interviewing potential witnesses in the Reedsville area, according to French.
The police presence was expected to last through the day Thursday, French said. There may be secondary locations identified based on findings at the scene near Holbrook's home.
French said there is no credible threat to the public in the Reedsville area.
Shymanski, 51, was reported missing from his Huntingtown, Maryland home by concerned relatives after he disappeared over the weekend, according to police in Calvert County. The father of two was last seen Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
During the investigation, detectives determined foul play was suspected and identified Holbrook as a suspect. Detectives traveled to Reedsville and executed several search warrants prior to his arrest.
Holbrook is also charged with second-degree homicide and first-degree assault in the case, according to police.