Shocking Killing in Anaheim Leads to Cross-Border Arrest
Anaheim, Calif. — A Southern California woman has been arrested and charged in connection with the gruesome killing of her boyfriend, whose decapitated body was discovered in an apartment last summer. The suspect fled the country after the violent crime but was located in Mexico nearly five months later and returned to the United States to face prosecution.
Twenty-three-year-old Alyssa Marie Lira was identified as the prime suspect in the death of 55-year-old Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal after his headless remains were found inside her Anaheim home on August 25, 2025. The pair had only been dating for about two months at the time of the deadly incident.
International Manhunt Culminates in Arrest
After law enforcement determined Lira’s involvement, she reportedly fled to Mexico, triggering an extensive search conducted by Anaheim homicide detectives, the FBI, and Mexican authorities. On January 22, 2026, officials located and detained Lira in Mexico. The following day she was handed over to U.S. authorities at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and taken into custody.
She has been charged with one count of murder and a felony enhancement for personally using a weapon during the crime. If convicted on all counts, she could face a sentence ranging from 26 years to life in prison.
Court Proceedings and Prosecutors’ Statements
Lira is currently being held without bail at the Orange County Jail. Her arraignment has been scheduled for February 13, where she will formally enter her plea and receive further court instructions. Prosecutors have not publicly revealed a motive for the killing.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer praised the collaborative efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies that led to the suspect’s arrest, emphasizing the determination of authorities to follow leads across borders and ensure justice is served.
