48 Hours My Uncle Joe’s Murder Airs October 18 2025 on CBS

In a deeply personal and emotionally charged episode, 48 Hours returns on Saturday, October 18, 2025, with My Uncle Joe’s Murder, airing at 10:00 PM ET/PT. Reported by Nikki Battiste, the story centers on the 2023 killing of Joe Shymanski, a well-known Washington, D.C. photographer, and the lingering questions surrounding who was truly responsible.

A Life Cut Short

Joe Shymanski was not just a successful photographer — he was a beloved family man, a creative spirit, and someone who touched many lives in and around D.C. His brutal murder stunned his tight-knit family and shook the quiet Pennsylvania community of Mifflin County where the crime occurred. His niece, Janine Shymanski, has become a powerful voice for justice, determined to uncover the full truth behind her uncle’s death.

The Suspect: A Former Partner’s Lover

Police quickly focused their investigation on Brandon Holbrook, a former boyfriend of Joe’s ex-wife, Heather Snyder. Holbrook was charged and later convicted for Joe’s murder. But as the trial unfolded, more questions emerged than answers. What were Holbrook’s motives? And could someone else have been involved?

Adding complexity to the story is a personal twist: 48 Hours correspondent Nikki Battiste reveals she grew up with Heather Snyder. In a rare move, Battiste sits down with Snyder for an exclusive on-camera interview, exploring her past, her connection to Holbrook, and what she knew about the killing of her ex-husband.

A Family Still Searching for Truth

The emotional core of the episode lies in the grief and uncertainty that still haunt the Shymanski family. Janine, along with Joe’s brother Ted, sister Mary, and sister-in-law Heather Shymanski, speak candidly about their heartbreak—and their doubts. While Holbrook is behind bars, Janine continues to ask whether he acted alone.

Joe’s friends, including Anneli Werner and longtime business partner Alton McDougle, paint a portrait of a man full of life and creative energy, someone who didn’t deserve the violent end he met.

Law Enforcement and Legal Perspectives

The episode features insight from the lead investigators and legal experts involved in the case:

• Jessica Aurand, detective with the Mifflin County Police
• John Chester, now police chief, who was a sergeant at the time of the murder
• Andrea Alcalde, Mifflin County coroner
• Brendan Callahan and Thomas Mooney, defense attorneys for Brandon Holbrook

They walk viewers through the evidence, timeline, and courtroom strategy that led to Holbrook’s conviction. Yet even they acknowledge the cloud of uncertainty that still hovers over the case.

Don’t Miss It

My Uncle Joe’s Murder is not just a whodunnit—it’s a story of family, loss, and the pursuit of answers in the face of grief. Tune in Saturday, October 18 at 10/9c on CBS. The episode will also be available to stream the next day on Paramount+.

Release Date & Time: 10:00 PM Saturday 18 October 2025 on CBS

48 Hours Cast –