Undocumented woman charged with first‑degree murder after girlfriend’s body found decomposing in closet at Peppertree Apartments
Charlotte authorities say Lhis Brito‑Costa faces a first‑degree murder charge after 26‑year‑old Evelin Carolina Enamorado‑Cisnado’s decomposing body was found hidden in a closet at Peppertree Apartments during a welfare check prompted by a DoorDash driver.
Key takeaways
- Suspect: 23‑year‑old Lhis Brito‑Costa (name also reported as Lhis Birito Costa or Leah Brito Costa); initial reporting and video available from WSOCTV and a local video report.
- Victim: reported as 26‑year‑old Evelin Carolina Enamorado‑Cisnado; some early accounts listed the victim as unidentified pending confirmation.
- Discovery: Body concealed in a closet at Peppertree Apartments; decomposition had begun and towels covered the remains after a DoorDash driver alerted police.
- Custody & ICE: Costa arrested, booked on first‑degree murder; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a detainer requesting notification before release.
Main report
Welfare check becomes homicide investigation
Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police responded Tuesday afternoon to a welfare check at the Peppertree Apartments near Central Avenue and Kilborne Drive after a DoorDash driver reported being told someone inside the apartment was dead. When officers entered the unit they found a body concealed in a closet, behind a door and covered with towels. The victim’s remains had begun to decompose, prompting detectives to open a homicide investigation rather than treat the call as a standard welfare check.
Court records and suspect statement
Court documents obtained by local reporters indicate Costa told detectives she shot the victim after learning Enamorado‑Cisnado was involved with someone else. Authorities have not publicly detailed the type of weapon used or released a full timeline of events. Investigators interviewed Costa at the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Department’s Law Enforcement Center before she was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and formally charged with first‑degree murder. Her first court appearance was scheduled later that afternoon.
Name spellings, identity notes and investigative caution
Local coverage shows inconsistent spellings of the suspect’s name — reported as Lhis Brito‑Costa, Lhis Birito Costa, and Leah Brito Costa in different outlets. The victim’s identification also showed early discrepancies, with some reports listing her as a Jane Doe until confirmation was completed. Such inconsistencies are common in fast‑moving investigations and underscore the need for official confirmation from law enforcement and the medical examiner’s office.
Neighbors describe heavy police response
“I saw officers canvassing nearby buildings,” said Sai Akula, a neighbor who lives in the unit above the apartment where the body was found. He said he hadn’t heard anything unusual before the welfare check.
Residents reported a large police presence at the complex. Akula told reporters he was aware a man, woman and a dog lived in the unit but did not personally recognize the victim.
Context: Peppertree Apartments’ recent violence
Peppertree Apartments had a reported shooting death in its parking lot the prior month, according to local reporting. That earlier incident and this homicide have raised safety concerns among residents and neighbors. Law enforcement has not released information tying the two incidents together.
Immigration enforcement action
The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Costa. A detainer is a request that local authorities notify ICE before a person is released from custody. The detainer itself does not determine immigration status or the outcome of immigration court proceedings, but it indicates federal interest and potential follow‑up.
Investigation status and unanswered questions
Authorities say the homicide investigation is ongoing. Public filings and media reports show several key details remain unknown: the exact timeline of events leading to the shooting, whether any other people were present, the weapon used, and the formal findings from the medical examiner regarding cause and manner of death. Detectives continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses as they build the case.
Legal process and next steps
Costa has been charged with first‑degree murder and is in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Her case will proceed through the state criminal justice system; court dates, bond considerations, and further filings will be set by local prosecutors and the courts. Any federal immigration proceedings would be handled separately by ICE following or concurrent with criminal matters.
Sources and reporting
This article draws on local television and online reporting and public documents. Initial accounts and video coverage are available from WSOCTV and a local video report. Court records and on‑scene reporting informed the summary of events and investigative status.
Implications for United States
- Public safety and policing: The case highlights concerns about violent crime in multiunit housing and the role of local police in homicide investigations.
- Immigration policy: An ICE detainer on the suspect underscores coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities and contributes to broader policy debates about detainers and public safety.
- Intimate‑partner violence: Reports that the two women were in a relationship and that the shooting followed a romantic dispute emphasize ongoing concerns about domestic violence and the need for resources and reporting channels.
- Housing and community safety: Multiple violent incidents at the complex may prompt calls for improved security, lighting, surveillance, and community policing measures.
- Media accuracy: Conflicting early reports on names and identification demonstrate how details can change in breaking cases and why official confirmation is essential before drawing broader conclusions.
Further developments will depend on ongoing investigative work by Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police, statements from prosecutors and the medical examiner, and any federal immigration actions following the criminal case.
