A man has been charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman whose body was found on the beach in Hollywood last week.

But at least so far, Brandon Ward McCray, 28, has not been charged with homicide in the death of Heather Asendorf, 56, whose body was discovered by a passerby on the beach near Cleveland Street about 7 a.m. Dec. 26.

McCray was arrested on Tuesday and is facing two counts of sexual assault on a victim over 12 years in age, one count of kidnapping, one count of battery by strangulation and one count of simple battery, according to court records. Police did not publicly connect McCray’s arrest to Asendorf until Monday morning.

The say after Asendorf’s body was discovered, police announced that they had identified a person of interest and that “the parties involved are known to one another.” McCray’s arrest was in court records, but no officials confirmed the connection at that time.

McCray is also currently facing charges of aggravated assault following an incident in 2023 in which he shot a gun during an altercation with workers attempting to tow away and repossess his car, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Police had arrested him on Dec. 18, a week prior to the discovery of the body, on an outstanding warrant stemming from charges of disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer in 2023, court records show. He had posted bond the next day.

McCray had his first appearance on the sexual assault charges last Wednesday. A judge set his bond at $770,000 with GPS monitoring. He remains in the Broward Main Jail.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.