For most journalists, a murder investigation is a professional assignment. For 48 Hours correspondent Nikki Battiste, the case of a slain Washington D.C. photographer became deeply personal. In an upcoming episode titled “My Uncle Joe’s Murder,” set to air Saturday, October 18, Battiste investigates a crime that connects directly to her own past through an exclusive interview with a central figure she has known since childhood.
The report centers on the 2023 murder of Joe Shymanski, a well-known D.C. photographer. Police attention quickly focused on Brandon Holbrook, who had previously been in a relationship with Shymanski’s ex-wife, Heather Snyder. The investigation for 48 Hours uncovered a startling fact: Battiste herself grew up with Snyder, providing the correspondent with a unique and complicated perspective on the case.
The hour features Battiste’s sit-down interview with Snyder, examining her history with both the victim and the accused. The episode also presents a thorough account of the crime and its aftermath through interviews with law enforcement officials, including Mifflin County Police Detective Jessica Aurand and Chief John Chester.
To provide a full picture of the victim, the program includes conversations with Joe Shymanski’s family, including his niece Janine Shymanski and his brother Ted Shymanski. The broadcast also incorporates perspectives from the legal proceedings, featuring an interview with Holbrook’s defense attorney, Brendan Callahan, creating a comprehensive look at a case where the personal and professional worlds of a journalist unexpectedly collide.
