23-year-old charged with first-degree murder after body found at Peppertree Apartments in East Charlotte
Charlotte police arrested 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa and charged her with first-degree murder after officers found an unidentified woman with serious injuries at Peppertree Apartments in east Charlotte; the victim later died and an ICE detainer was lodged.
Key takeaways
- Suspect: 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa, arrested and charged with first-degree murder; initial media reporting cited WSOC-TV and a local video report.
- Location: Peppertree Apartments near Central Avenue and Kilborne Drive in east Charlotte, per WSOC-TV.
- Victim: Woman found with serious injuries and pronounced dead; officials list the victim as unidentified in initial police statements.
- ICE detainer: The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed an ICE detainer on the suspect, signaling federal notification requests if release is proposed.
Main coverage
What police have said and what is confirmed
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) responded Tuesday to a welfare check at the Peppertree Apartments. Officers discovered a woman inside an apartment with serious injuries; she was later pronounced dead, and the incident was treated as a homicide investigation, according to initial CMPD statements cited by local media.
Investigators have identified and arrested a suspect: authorities detained 23‑year‑old Lhis Brito-Costa the following day. She was taken to the CMPD Law Enforcement Center for interviews and later transferred to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Court and booking records show she is charged with murder and remains in custody.
“The incident was immediately treated as a homicide investigation,” the initial CMPD statement said, as relayed by local reporting.
Confirmed reporting sources include WSOC-TV and an accompanying local video report.
Unverified details reported by other local outlets
Some local reports — notably reporting tied to court documents cited by WCNC Charlotte — include additional specifics that have not been corroborated by CMPD:
- Claims that a DoorDash driver triggered the welfare check and that the victim was found hidden in a closet and covered with towels.
- Reports naming the victim as Evelin Carolina Enamorado-Cisnado and alleging the suspect told investigators she shot the victim after learning of an alleged relationship.
Important: these particulars were reported by a local outlet and tied to court records but were not confirmed by the lead investigative agency at the time of publication. Readers should treat them as unverified.
Investigation status and next steps
CMPD homicide detectives continue to lead the probe. Officials have not publicly released the victim’s identity, the official cause of death, or a precise timeline of events. Detectives are expected to:
- Gather and analyze forensic evidence
- Review surveillance and interview witnesses
- Examine any relevant court documents or affidavits tied to the arrest
If prosecutors proceed with a first-degree murder charge, public court records will provide the next formal updates — including arraignment, bond decisions and discovery filings.
Context: ICE detainers, local policing and public safety
ICE detainers are requests asking jails to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before releasing a person — they do not themselves determine immigration status or guarantee federal custody. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed an ICE detainer was lodged on Brito-Costa; such detainers can shape interagency coordination and public perceptions.
For immigrant communities, cases involving detainers can raise concerns about reporting crimes and cooperating with law enforcement. Local agencies often balance transparency about criminal investigations with outreach to ensure residents feel safe reporting emergencies.
Implications for Sonoma, California
Although this incident occurred in Charlotte, it has potential local resonance in Sonoma:
- Economic: High-profile crimes intersecting with immigration questions can affect perceptions of safety and tourism.
- Political: The case may prompt debate about local policies on cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
- Social: Immigrant residents may worry about reporting crimes; local nonprofits and police may need to reinforce outreach.
- Practical: Residents can review emergency resources, victim services, and county policies on detainers.
Reporting notes and sources
This article is based on initial police statements and local media reporting. Confirmed details are drawn from WSOC-TV: Death investigation underway in east Charlotte and a local video report. Additional, unverified details referenced court documents cited by WCNC Charlotte.
Official sources: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office provided initial statements to local media; further public records and court filings may appear as the case proceeds through Mecklenburg County courts.
