Bryan Lex Traywick

Bryan Lex Traywick was a beloved entertainer whose voice and charisma brought joy to communities across Brunswick County, North Carolina, and North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A 53-year-old white male from Sunset Beach, Bryan was known for his singing and DJ services through his business, Lex Entertainment. Friends and family remember him as a kind, outgoing, and free-spirited man with a big heart. He had a special talent for making people smile, often inviting children and even a young woman in a wheelchair onto his stage to sing karaoke. His brother, Ronnie Traywick, recalled how Bryan had previously performed with him and their cousin, award-winning country singer Randy Travis. Bryan was a cherished presence, and his sudden death left a profound void in the lives of those who knew him.

In the early hours of June 9, 2021, the music stopped. Bryan had just finished a performance and called his mother to say he would be home within an hour. But around 1:00 a.m., he was found deceased on Carlon Road in the Longwood area of Brunswick County. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his chest. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office immediately launched a homicide investigation into the tragic death of the popular local singer.

Investigators quickly identified a person of interest: 20-year-old Nigel Underhill of Longwood. Described as 5-foot-5 and 109 pounds, with a cross tattoo on his forehead and a teardrop tattoo below his right eye, Underhill was wanted for questioning. The sheriff's office warned that he might be armed and dangerous and offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The investigation soon revealed that the motive was likely robbery. An arrest warrant later stated that Underhill had taken an unknown amount of cash from Traywick, threatening him with a gun before shooting him. Family members believe the stolen money came from Bryan's tip jar from his performance that night.

Just days after the shooting, on Sunday, June 13, 2021, Nigel Underhill turned himself in to the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Underhill made his first court appearance the following day, where he was appointed an attorney and ordered to be held without bond at the Brunswick County Detention Center. His next court date was set for later that month.

In the wake of the tragedy, friends and family were left grappling with the senselessness of the violence. Longtime friend Trina Osborne remembered Bryan as "one of a kind" and expressed her shock, stating, "If he just wanted money, Lex would have given him the money — They didn’t have to kill him." His brother Ronnie remembered the joy Bryan brought to others, like the time he helped a young woman in a wheelchair experience the thrill of being on stage. To honor his memory, Maxwell’s Lounge in North Myrtle Beach, one of the many venues where he performed, held a musical tribute to celebrate his life.

The case against Nigel Underhill proceeded through the court system. In May 2024, Underhill pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. A Superior Court judge subsequently sentenced him to a term of 25 to 31 years in prison for his role in the death of Bryan Traywick. The plea and sentencing brought a long-awaited, albeit somber, conclusion for Bryan's loved ones and the community he had so often entertained. The case is now considered closed.