Woman Charged with Allegedly Beheading Boyfriend, Arrested After Fleeing to Mexico

Alyssa Marie Lira, 23, was charged with one count of murder and one felony enhancement for personally using a weapon in the death of her boyfriend, Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal, 55.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 9:23pm

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Alyssa Marie Lira, 23, was charged with one count of murder and one felony enhancement for personally using a weapon in the death of her boyfriend, Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal, 55, who was found decapitated in Lira's Anaheim, California home in August 2025. Lira was identified as a suspect and fled to Mexico, but was later located and arrested there in January 2026 before being extradited back to the United States.

Why it matters

This case highlights the lengths that law enforcement will go to track down and apprehend suspects who commit violent crimes, even if they try to flee across international borders. It also raises questions about domestic violence and the potential warning signs that may have been missed prior to the alleged murder.

The details

According to authorities, Lira and Gonzalez-Carbajal had been dating for two months when he was found decapitated in Lira's Anaheim home on August 25, 2025. Lira was quickly identified as a suspect and fled to Mexico, prompting a multi-agency investigation involving the Anaheim Police Department, the FBI, and Mexican authorities. Lira was eventually located in Mexico on January 22, 2026 and taken into custody before being extradited back to the United States.

  • On August 25, 2025, Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal was found decapitated in Alyssa Marie Lira's Anaheim home.
  • In late August 2025, Alyssa Marie Lira was named as a suspect and fled to Mexico.
  • On January 22, 2026, Alyssa Marie Lira was located and arrested in Mexico.
  • On January 23, 2026, Alyssa Marie Lira was turned over to Anaheim police homicide detectives at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

The players

Alyssa Marie Lira

A 23-year-old woman who was charged with one count of murder and one felony enhancement for personally using a weapon in the death of her boyfriend, Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal.

Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal

A 55-year-old man who was found decapitated in the Anaheim, California home of his girlfriend, Alyssa Marie Lira, in August 2025.

Todd Spitzer

The Orange County District Attorney who stated that "Nothing — not time, not distance nor foreign borders — will thwart our pursuit of justice" in this case.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing — not time, not distance nor foreign borders — will thwart our pursuit of justice. This investigation and prosecution are a testament to the tenacity and dedication of the Anaheim Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney's Office, and our federal and international partners to identify a cold-blooded killer, track her down in a foreign country, and bring her back to the United States to face the full weight of the law.”

— Todd Spitzer, Orange County District Attorney

What’s next

Alyssa Marie Lira's arraignment is scheduled for February 13, 2026, where prosecutors will present their case and the judge will decide whether to allow her to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of law enforcement cooperation across jurisdictions and international borders to apprehend suspects who commit violent crimes and attempt to flee. It also underscores the need for greater awareness and prevention of domestic violence, as the alleged murder appears to have occurred in the context of a relatively new relationship.