Anaheim Woman Accused of Decapitating Boyfriend Extradited from Mexico

Ashley Marie Lira, 23, faces life in prison if convicted of the alleged murder of her 55-year-old boyfriend Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:39am

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A 23-year-old woman who allegedly decapitated her 55-year-old boyfriend in Anaheim, California in 2025 and then fled to Mexico has been extradited back to Orange County to face murder charges. Ashley Marie Lira will make her first court appearance on February 13 and faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison if convicted.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down suspects who flee across international borders, as well as the severity of the alleged crime and the need to hold violent offenders accountable for their actions.

The details

On August 25, 2025, Anaheim police responded to Lira's home and found the headless body of her boyfriend of two months, Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal. Lira was immediately identified as the suspect and fled to Mexico. She was taken into custody by Mexican authorities on January 22, 2026 and has been extradited back to Orange County to face murder charges.

  • On August 25, 2025, Anaheim police responded to Lira's home and found Gonzalez-Carbajal's body.
  • Lira immediately fled to Mexico after the alleged murder.
  • Lira was taken into custody by Mexican authorities on January 22, 2026.
  • Lira will make her first court appearance in Fullerton on February 13, 2026.

The players

Ashley Marie Lira

A 23-year-old woman accused of decapitating her 55-year-old boyfriend Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal in Anaheim, California in 2025. She immediately fled to Mexico after the alleged murder but was later extradited back to the United States to face charges.

Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal

A 55-year-old man who was allegedly decapitated by his 23-year-old girlfriend Ashley Marie Lira in Anaheim, California in 2025.

Todd Spitzer

The Orange County District Attorney who called Lira a "cold-blooded killer" and said that "nothing, not time, not distance, nor foreign borders, will thwart our pursuit of justice."

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What they’re saying

“Nothing, not time, not distance, nor foreign borders, will thwart our pursuit of justice, and Orange County law enforcement will continue to go to the very ends of the earth to carry out our mission and hold criminals accountable for the heinous acts they commit.”

— Todd Spitzer, Orange County District Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on February 13 whether or not to allow Ashley Marie Lira to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down suspects who flee across international borders, as well as the severity of violent crimes and the need to hold offenders accountable, even if it requires extensive efforts to bring them to justice.