23-year-old in custody after unidentified woman’s death in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — A 23-year-old woman is in custody after Charlotte-Mecklenburg police found an unidentified woman dead inside an East Charlotte apartment on Tuesday afternoon.

Lhis Brito-Costa faces a murder charge in connection with the death at the Peppertree Apartments.

Officers discovered the victim while conducting a welfare check at the complex, located at the corner of Central Avenue and Kilborne Drive.

The victim is currently listed as Jane Doe as investigators and neighbors work to establish her identity.

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Brito-Costa is currently being held in the Mecklenburg County Jail. Court documents indicate she is not in the United States legally, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on her.

Sai Akula, a neighbor who lives in the unit directly above the apartment where the body was found, described a heavy police presence following the discovery.

“There were a bunch of cops talking to people in this building and that building,” Akula said.

Akula noted that a man, a woman, and a dog lived in the apartment, but he did not recognize the victim.

“I was shocked, to be honest,” Akula said. When asked if he had ever seen the woman before, he said, “No, I’ve never seen this lady in particular.”

Neighbors reported seeing police activity at the complex throughout the night, though many said they did not hear anything unusual before the welfare check.

The Peppertree Apartments complex has seen other recent violence; last month, a woman was shot and killed in the parking lot following an altercation. An arrest was also made in that case.

The cause of the victim’s death has not been released, and the relationship between the suspect and the victim remains unclear.

Akula expressed sympathy for the victim’s family. “I don’t even know what the family is going thru but I hope they have the courage and the spirit to get through,” Akula said.

Brito-Costa is scheduled to make her first court appearance on Wednesday. Officials expect more details regarding the case may be released during those proceedings.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.