Undocumented immigrant charged after girlfriend’s decomposing body found in closet at Peppertree Apartments
A welfare check at Peppertree Apartments in east Charlotte led officers to find the decomposing body of 26-year-old Evelin Enamorado-Cisnado in a closet; 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa has been charged with murder following a delivery driver’s concern.
- Victim: Evelin Carolina Enamorado-Cisnado, 26, found concealed inside a closet at Peppertree Apartments.
- Suspect: Lhis Brito-Costa, 23, arrested and charged with murder; an ICE detainer has been placed on her.
- How discovery occurred: A delivery (DoorDash) driver raised alarms leading to a welfare check and the subsequent homicide probe.
- Scene details: Body was behind a closet door, covered with towels and already decomposing when officers entered.
Welfare check turns homicide probe
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police say the incident began when a DoorDash driver delivered food to the unit and was told someone inside might be dead, prompting a welfare check. Officers entered the apartment Tuesday afternoon and discovered Evelin Enamorado-Cisnado’s body hidden inside a closet, behind a door and covered with towels. Detectives reported the body had already begun decomposing, indicating the victim had likely been dead for some time prior to the check.
Court documents and suspected motive
Court records obtained by local media indicate Brito-Costa told investigators she had been in a relationship with Enamorado-Cisnado and admitted to shooting her after learning the victim was involved with someone else. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department homicide detectives have taken over the investigation. Authorities have not publicly released a complete forensic cause of death beyond details in the court filings. Early reports included some inconsistencies common to fast-developing cases, such as how the victim was initially identified and differing early descriptions of injuries.
Arrest, booking and immigration hold
Police located and arrested Lhis Brito-Costa on Wednesday. She was transported to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Law Enforcement Center for questioning by homicide detectives, then transferred to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and charged with murder. Officials confirmed Brito-Costa remains in the county jail. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on her, requesting notification prior to any release. An initial court appearance was scheduled the day after the arrest.
Neighbors, location and recent violence in complex
Residents at Peppertree Apartments — near Central Avenue with reports noting proximity to Kilborne Drive and Norland Road — reported a heavy police presence after the discovery. One neighbor, Sai Akula, who lives in the unit above the apartment where the body was found, told reporters he had not heard unusual noises before police arrived and did not recognize the victim. Local reports say the complex experienced a separate fatal shooting in the parking lot last month, raising community safety concerns.
Reporting variations and the developing case
Early coverage included differences in detail, a common trait in breaking investigations. Initial accounts sometimes referred to the victim as a “Jane Doe” before identification and varied on whether first responders first found a living person who later died or a body already deceased. Local media and court filings have since identified the victim as Evelin Carolina Enamorado-Cisnado and the suspect as Lhis Brito-Costa, though name spellings and timelines have varied in early reports. Authorities continue gathering evidence; more details are expected through court proceedings and official statements.
Legal context and ICE detainer explained
An ICE detainer is a request to local authorities to notify federal immigration officials prior to releasing an individual from custody. It does not itself alter criminal charges or guarantee federal immigration action, but it indicates federal interest in the person’s immigration status. In this case, Mecklenburg County jail officials confirmed ICE placed a detainer on Brito-Costa after her arrest on the murder charge. Local prosecutors will handle the homicide case; any immigration proceedings would follow federal procedures.
Implications for Fresno, California
Although this incident occurred in Charlotte, it has potential local policy and social implications for places like Fresno with significant immigrant communities:
- Economic impact: High-profile violent incidents can affect tenant demand and perceptions of neighborhood safety, prompting landlords and property managers to review security and maintenance.
- Political consequences: An ICE detainer in a murder case can intensify debates over local cooperation with federal immigration authorities; elected officials may face pressure to clarify policies balancing public safety and community trust.
- Social effects: Such events can heighten fear among immigrant communities and domestic violence survivors, potentially deterring reporting; community outreach and confidential services are crucial.
- Practical steps for residents: Report welfare concerns to local police, seek confidential help for domestic violence, and document safety issues with landlords; community groups should increase outreach to immigrant populations.
Sources and reporting notes
This report is based on local Charlotte media accounts and court documents cited by WSOC-TV and a WCNC video. Early reporting included name variations and differing timelines typical of breaking investigations; details here reflect the most consistent information available from those sources as the case develops.
“Early reports noted inconsistencies common to fast-developing cases, including how the victim was first identified and initial descriptions of injuries.”
Key facts preserved: Victim: Evelin Carolina Enamorado-Cisnado, 26; Suspect: Lhis Brito-Costa, 23; Discovery: closet at Peppertree Apartments, covered with towels and decomposing; Welfare check initiated by DoorDash driver; ICE detainer placed on suspect; case under homicide investigation.
