Homicide Investigation in the University City Division
Published on June 17, 2026
Charlotte, N.C. – (Friday, July 31, 2026) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Homicide Unit are conducting a homicide investigation in the 4800 block of Abercromby Street in the University City Division.
On Wednesday, June 12, Brandi Merrick, 37, was reported missing by family members. CMPD Missing Persons Unit detectives began an investigation. Despite continued efforts, Ms. Merrick has not been located.
During the course of the investigation, Missing Persons detectives in collaboration with CMPD Homicide Unit detectives obtained sufficient evidence to identify Derrick Randall Jr., 36, as a suspect in Ms. Merrick’s disappearance and obtained warrants for Randall’s arrest.
On Friday, July 31, CMPD's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) located and arrested Randall.
Randall was transported to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) to interview with homicide detectives. Upon conclusion of the interview, Randall transferred into the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office.
Randall is charged with Murder.
Ms. Merrick’s next of kin has been notified of this case update.
The investigation into this case is active and ongoing. As additional information develops, it will be released by the CMPD's Public Affairs Division. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective. Detective McCall is the lead Homicide detective assigned to this case. Detective Hagan is the lead Missing Persons detective assigned to the case. The public can also leave information anonymously by calling Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, using the Charlotte Crime Stoppers
P3 Tips Mobile App or by visiting the
Charlotte Crime Stoppers website. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20260612-1441-00.
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Charlotte, N.C. – (Wednesday, June 17, 2026) – Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) Missing Persons Unit are requesting the public’s assistance in locating 37-year-old Brandi Merrick.
Ms. Merrick was last seen leaving a family member’s residence in the 4500 block of Houldsworth Drive on June 8, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Family members are concerned about Ms. Merrick’s well-being and are seeking information on her whereabouts.
Anyone with information on Ms. Merrick’s whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1 immediately.
The public can also leave information anonymously by calling Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600, using the Charlotte Crime Stoppers P3 Tips Mobile App or by visiting the Charlotte Crime Stoppers website.
For additional information, please refer to the report: 20260612-1441-00.
MISSING
Missing Person Information:
Name: Brandi Merrick
DOB: 05/15/1989
Age: 37
Race: Black
Sex: Female
Height: 5’0”
Weight: 170 pounds
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Last Known Location: 4500 block of Houldsworth Drive, Charlotte
Report Number: 2026-0612-1441-00
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