Peppertree Apartments homicide: Undocumented woman charged after girlfriend’s decomposing body found in closet
Lhis Birito Costa, 23, has been charged with first-degree murder after Charlotte police found her girlfriend, Evelin Carolina Enamorado-Cisnado, decomposing in a closet at Peppertree Apartments following a welfare check prompted by a DoorDash driver.
Key takeaways
- Lhis Birito Costa, 23, charged with first-degree murder and held without bond; an ICE detainer has been placed on her.
- The victim, Evelin Carolina Enamorado-Cisnado, 26, was found decomposing inside a closet at the Peppertree Apartments.
- Police were alerted after a DoorDash driver reported a foul odor, prompting a welfare check by CMPD officers.
- Investigators say Costa admitted to shooting the victim after learning she was seeing someone else; the Homicide Unit continues to investigate.
Incident timeline and scene
On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers responded to a welfare check at an apartment in the Peppertree complex after a DoorDash driver reported a strong odor and said someone inside might be dead. When officers entered the unit they found Evelin Enamorado-Cisnado’s body hidden behind a closet door and covered with towels and blankets. Detectives reported the body had begun decomposing when discovered. CMPD’s Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Search Division processed the scene.
(Source: CMPD press release)
Arrest, interview and charges
CMPD reported officers located and arrested Lhis Birito Costa on March 11. She was transported to CMPD’s Law Enforcement Center for an interview led by homicide detectives and later transferred to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Court records and media reports indicate Costa admitted to shooting Enamorado-Cisnado after learning the victim was seeing someone else.
Court status: Costa has been charged with first-degree murder and ordered held without bond. Officials confirmed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer has been placed on her; federal authorities requested notification prior to any release.
(Sources: CMPD press release; National Today summary; WSOC-TV)
Suspect’s statement and court documents
According to court documents cited in media reports, Costa told investigators she was in a romantic relationship with Enamorado-Cisnado and said she shot the victim after learning she was involved with another person. CMPD has described the case as an active homicide investigation and said additional details will be released through Public Affairs as they become available.
(Source: National Today summary; CMPD press release)
Location context and neighborhood reaction
The incident occurred at the Peppertree Apartments near Central Avenue and Kilborne Drive in east Charlotte. Neighbors expressed shock; one resident told reporters a man, woman and dog lived in the unit but that neighbors did not recognize the victim. The complex had experienced recent violence, including a fatal parking-lot shooting the prior month. Police maintained a heavy presence while investigators processed the scene.
Investigation status and public information
CMPD’s Homicide Unit continues to investigate. Detectives ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 704-432-8477. Public records indicate the victim’s next of kin were notified; initial reports listed the victim as a Jane Doe until identity confirmation. CMPD said verified updates will be posted through its newsroom and Public Affairs office as the case develops.
(Sources: CMPD press release; WSOC-TV)
Immigration detainer and enforcement note
Local reporting and public records indicate Immigration and Customs Enforcement placed a detainer on Costa, requesting notification prior to any local release. An ICE detainer is an administrative request for notification and does not by itself determine immigration status or resolve criminal charges. The detainer has been noted by media and local commentators in discussions about immigration enforcement and public safety.
(Source: National Today summary; WSOC-TV)
Broader themes in early coverage
Early reporting places the case at the intersection of several issues: domestic violence, law enforcement welfare-check procedures, apartment-complex safety, and debates about immigration enforcement. Some coverage has highlighted concerns about safety in LGBTQ relationships and the need for accessible resources for survivors, particularly within immigrant communities.
Advocates and officials may point to this incident when urging expanded support — hotlines, safe housing and multilingual outreach — for vulnerable populations. CMPD cautioned that the investigation remains active and that details are subject to confirmation as detectives follow leads.
(Sources: National Today summary; Local12)
How to follow the case
CMPD said updates will be posted through its newsroom. Local outlets have covered court filings and early hearings; viewers can check video and written reports for scene and court coverage. Journalists and members of the public are advised to rely on verified releases from police and court records as the case moves through the criminal justice system.
For tips or information, contact CMPD Crime Stoppers at 704-432-8477. CMPD will provide verified updates via its newsroom and Public Affairs.
(CMPD newsroom: Homicide Investigation in the Eastway Division (March 10, 2026))
Sources
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department newsroom: Homicide Investigation in the Eastway Division (March 10, 2026)
- WSOC-TV: Death investigation underway in east Charlotte
- Local12: Police find body decomposing in closet after DoorDash driver noticed foul odor
- National Today: Summary of local reporting
- WCNC / video coverage referenced in local reporting
“The case remains under active investigation; further details will be released by CMPD Public Affairs as they become available.” — CMPD
