Charlotte murder at Peppertree Apartments: Woman charged after decomposing body found in closet
A 23-year-old woman, Lhis Brito-Costa, has been charged with first-degree murder after officers discovered a decomposing body hidden in a closet during a welfare check at Peppertree Apartments in east Charlotte; investigation and identification continue.
- Suspect charged: 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and remains jailed with an ICE detainer.
- Discovery: Officers conducting a welfare check found a decomposing woman’s body inside a closet at Peppertree Apartments; the body was reportedly covered with towels.
- Investigation ongoing: Police have not released the victim’s identity or official cause of death; homicide detectives continue forensic testing and witness interviews.
- Local impact: The incident has intensified concerns about safety at the complex and prompted renewed police activity and community attention.
Key information
Who: 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa has been charged with first-degree murder in an East Charlotte homicide investigation. Authorities said she was arrested Wednesday and remains jailed with an ICE detainer. (See reporting by WSOC-TV and related video coverage.)
What: Officers responding to a welfare check found a decomposing woman’s body hidden inside a closet at an apartment at Peppertree Apartments. The body was reportedly behind a closet door and covered by towels.
Where: Peppertree Apartments in east Charlotte near the intersection reported as Central Avenue and Norland Road (also listed in some reports as Central Avenue and Kilborne Drive).
When: Officers were called Tuesday afternoon for a welfare check; police located and arrested the suspect the following day, Wednesday.
Why (alleged): Court documents obtained and cited in local reporting indicate Brito-Costa told investigators she had been in a relationship with the victim and shot her after learning the victim was involved with someone else. Authorities have charged Brito-Costa with murder; further details remain under investigation.
Welfare check turned homicide probe
Police said a DoorDash driver arrived at the apartment and was told someone inside might be dead. That driver contacted someone outside the home, who asked police to perform a welfare check. When officers entered the unit at Peppertree Apartments, they discovered the body hidden behind a closet door and covered with several towels. Detectives described the body as already beginning to decompose.
Police response and initial on-scene accounts
Neighbors reported a heavy police presence at the complex after officers arrived. One resident who lives above the unit told reporters he did not recognize the woman who lived in the apartment and had not noticed unusual sounds beforehand. Property managers and residents noted recent violence at the complex, including a fatal parking-lot shooting last month that led to an arrest.
Suspect located, interviewed and charged
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police located Lhis Brito-Costa on Wednesday. She was brought to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Law Enforcement Center, where homicide detectives interviewed her. Following that interview, she was transferred to the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and charged with first-degree murder. The sheriff’s office confirmed she remains in custody at the county jail and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on her.
Victim identity and conflicting reports
Police have not publicly released the victim’s identity or an official cause of death. Some reporting and court documents cited by local outlets indicate the victim may be a 26-year-old woman and suggest the suspect and victim were in a romantic relationship. Other initial accounts identified the body as a Jane Doe pending formal identification and autopsy. Investigators have said the cause and manner of death are pending further forensic testing.
Legal status and immigration detainer
ICE detainer: Local officials confirmed an ICE detainer has been placed on Brito-Costa. An ICE detainer is a federal request that local jails notify the agency before a detainee’s release so immigration authorities can assume custody, if appropriate. The detainer does not replace any criminal charges state or local authorities pursue; it is a separate administrative immigration action.
Investigation status and next steps
Homicide detectives are continuing to process the scene, interview witnesses, and review court documents and statements related to the case. Authorities are also working to identify the victim and notify next of kin once identification is confirmed. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have not released full details, citing standard procedures for ongoing homicide probes. Local courts will handle the criminal case; preliminary hearings are expected to follow.
Context in the neighborhood
Peppertree Apartments residents expressed shock that such violence could happen inside the complex. Neighbors said the unit had been occupied by multiple people and a dog, but that they did not recognize the woman found deceased. The property’s recent incidents have left residents and property managers on edge as police increase patrols and investigators continue their work.
Implications for San Luis Obispo
Economic impact: High-profile violent crimes can affect perceptions of safety beyond the immediate area. Media coverage that uses phrases like Charlotte murder Peppertree Apartments can influence renters, property managers and investors nationwide; San Luis Obispo landlords may review security measures such as lighting, cameras and patrols.
Political consequences: The ICE detainer in this case may resurface debates in San Luis Obispo and across California about cooperation with federal immigration authorities, public safety priorities and trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
Social effects & cultural relevance: News of a concealed, decomposing body can deepen community concerns about safety and well-being. Local groups, campus services and organizations supporting survivors of domestic violence or relationship abuse may see increased demand and use this case to emphasize early intervention, counseling and support resources.
Practical actions for residents: Residents can ensure emergency contacts are up to date, learn how to request local welfare checks, keep communication lines open among roommates and neighbors, and report suspicious deliveries or activity to property managers. Apartment managers can review guest screening, delivery coordination and welfare-call response policies.
Reporting and sources
This report is based on local media coverage and video reporting of the developing case, including Charlotte-area coverage and courtroom-related reports. Sources used for this article include WSOC-TV: Death investigation underway in east Charlotte (Peppertree Apartments) and a video report (court documents and local reporting). Readers should note the investigation is active and some details — including the victim’s official identity and the medical cause of death — remain pending official release.
Reporting by Times Media Service; additional local coverage cited from WSOC-TV and related video reports.
