East Charlotte murder arrest: Lhis Brito-Costa charged after body found at Peppertree Apartments
Charlotte police arrested 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa and charged her with first-degree murder after officers found a woman’s body during a welfare check at Peppertree Apartments in East Charlotte near Central Avenue; the victim remains a Jane Doe as investigators proceed.
Key takeaways
- Suspect: 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa, arrested and charged with first-degree murder (source: WSOC-TV).
- Location: Body found at Peppertree Apartments in East Charlotte near Central Avenue (source: WSOC-TV).
- Victim status: Listed as a Jane Doe while investigators work to identify her (source: WSOC-TV).
- Immigration detainer: ICE has placed a detainer on Brito-Costa; she remains in Mecklenburg County Jail (source: WSOC-TV).
Main story
What police say
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police responded to a welfare check at a unit in Peppertree Apartments on Tuesday afternoon after a caller reported someone might be in danger or dead. Officers entered the apartment and found the body of a woman. The victim has not been publicly identified and is being treated as a homicide as detectives continue their work.
Police located Lhis Brito-Costa the following day and took her into custody on Wednesday. She was interviewed by homicide detectives at the CMPD Law Enforcement Center and then transferred to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Court records show she faces a first-degree murder charge and remains held in the county jail.
Confirmed reporting on the incident is documented by WSOC-TV.
Immigration detainer placed
Local officials confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Brito-Costa. An ICE detainer requests notification before local authorities release a person from custody; it does not automatically transfer someone to federal custody. The presence of the detainer was reported and confirmed to local media (see WSOC-TV).
Open questions and unverified reports
Various details circulating on social platforms and in local outlets remain unverified. Some reports allege the victim was shot, that the body was hidden in a closet and showing decomposition, and one account named the victim as Evelin Carolina Enamorado‑Cisnado. Other reports describe a delivery driver alerting police. These items do not appear in official police releases reviewed by Times Media Service and should be treated as unconfirmed allegations until investigators or court records provide confirmation.
Where possible, reporters link to original local coverage for context, including WSOC-TV coverage and a local video report.
Investigation steps under way
Homicide detectives with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are leading the probe. Investigators typically will:
- Process the scene and collect physical evidence.
- Seek witness statements from neighbors, delivery drivers, friends and family.
- Review surveillance footage from the complex or nearby traffic cameras.
- Request forensic analysis, including an autopsy and ballistics if a firearm is involved.
- Coordinate with the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office on charges and possible indictments.
Detectives did not provide a timeline for the investigation or say when more information would be released. Officials encouraged anyone with information to contact Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police.
Context on Peppertree Apartments and community response
Peppertree Apartments sits in East Charlotte near a busy section of Central Avenue. Dense apartment complexes can complicate investigations when units are close together and occupants are transient. Neighbors and property management often assist police by providing camera access and records.
Local residents told reporters they were shocked by the discovery. After violent incidents, discussions often center on building security, lighting, management cooperation and local patrols. Community leaders and residents may seek updates on safety measures and police presence.
Legal and procedural notes
First-degree murder is a serious felony in North Carolina and typically alleges premeditation or specific aggravating circumstances. Being charged is not the same as being convicted; the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
An ICE detainer indicates federal immigration authorities wish to be notified prior to local release; it does not guarantee transfer to federal custody. Local policies and cooperation can affect how detainers are handled.
Implications for California
Though the case unfolded in Charlotte, it raises themes relevant to California audiences, especially moderate conservatives: public safety and policing response; cooperation with federal immigration authorities; victim services and support; housing management and building security; and the political consequences of high-profile violent crime.
California officials and communities may review detainer policies, victim-service outreach, and apartment security practices in light of incidents like this. Policymakers should balance public-safety priorities with due-process and resource considerations.
How to help or report
Anyone with information about this case should contact Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. Media and law enforcement will provide updates as the investigation proceeds. Confirmed reporting on this incident is available from WSOC-TV and a local video report.
Sources and reporting limits
Confirmed facts in this story are based on law enforcement statements and reporting by WSOC-TV, and local video coverage available online (video report). Other circulating details have not been independently verified by Times Media Service reporters and are treated here as unconfirmed.
