Charlotte, North Carolina — A North Carolina man is facing a first-degree murder charge after investigators alleged he killed the mother of his children following the end of their relationship and spent days trying to hide the crime.
Although 37-year-old Brandi Leshonne Merrick’s body has never been found, police say a combination of DNA evidence, cellphone records, surveillance footage, and witness statements led them to charge 36-year-old Derrick Andre Randall Jr.
Missing Mother’s Sudden Disappearance Raised Immediate Alarm
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Merrick’s mother reported her missing on June 12 after she had not heard from her daughter for two days.
Family members told investigators that Merrick was last seen at Randall’s home in Charlotte, where she had gone after returning from a trip to Advance, North Carolina.
Detectives quickly became concerned because Merrick stopped communicating with family and friends, failed to report to work, and missed a scheduled court appearance.
Authorities also found no evidence that she accessed her bank accounts, used rideshare services, or sought medical care after June 10, behavior investigators described as completely out of character.
Detectives Focused on the Couple’s Relationship
As the investigation progressed, detectives began examining Merrick’s relationship with Randall.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a close friend told police that Merrick had previously described Randall as “possessive and controlling” and had disclosed ongoing domestic violence during the relationship.
Investigators also learned that Concord police had obtained surveillance footage allegedly showing Randall damaging Merrick’s personal vehicle just days before she disappeared, forcing her to drive a rental SUV while her vehicle was being repaired.
Police believe the breakup may have played a role in the alleged crime, though prosecutors have not publicly discussed a motive beyond the evidence outlined in court documents.
Cellphone Data and Surveillance Led Detectives to a Remote Area
Investigators said cellphone records showed Merrick returned to Randall’s home on June 9. The following day, her cellphone traveled toward Indian Trail before permanently going silent.
At roughly the same time, license plate reader cameras captured Randall’s Chevrolet Silverado traveling through the same area where Merrick’s phone last transmitted.
GPS records from Merrick’s rental SUV also allegedly showed the vehicle remaining near Randall’s home before it was later abandoned in another Charlotte neighborhood.
Police said surveillance footage captured a man matching Randall’s build parking the SUV and walking away.
When questioned, Randall initially denied moving the vehicle but later admitted he had relocated it after Merrick disappeared, according to investigators.
Suspected Gravesite and Excavator Rental Strengthened Case
The investigation later took detectives to Catawba County, where Randall’s cellphone records allegedly placed him on June 10.
There, investigators discovered vehicle tracks, blue nitrile gloves, a green ratchet strap, and what appeared to be a freshly dug shallow gravesite.
Although Merrick’s body has not been recovered, investigators later searched Randall’s home and reported finding blood spatter inside the garage, along with gloves and a ratchet strap similar to those found near the suspected burial site.
Police said the case grew stronger after a witness told detectives Randall had asked him to rent an excavator because he claimed he had lost his wallet.
Rental records and surveillance images allegedly showed Randall towing the excavator through Catawba County, and investigators noted that the excavator’s bucket appeared significantly dirtier when it was returned.
According to court documents, DNA testing identified blood recovered from Randall’s garage as belonging to Brandi Merrick. Detectives also said Merrick’s DNA was found on the glove and ratchet strap recovered near the suspected gravesite, along with DNA from an unidentified male contributor.
Randall has been charged with first-degree murder and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 21. As the criminal case moves forward, investigators continue searching for Merrick’s remains.
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