SoCal Stripper Accused of Decapitating Boyfriend Captured in Mexico

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A 23-year-old California woman accused of decapitating her 55-year-old boyfriend and leaving his headless body inside her Anaheim home has been extradited back to the U.S. after being captured in Mexico. Alyssa Marie Lira was taken into custody on January 22 and turned over to Anaheim police homicide detectives the next day at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

Why it matters

The gruesome murder and subsequent manhunt across the border highlight the dangers of domestic violence and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down suspects who flee the country. This case has garnered significant media attention and raises questions about the safety of sex workers and the potential connections between their work and violent crimes.

The details

Lira and the victim, Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal, had been dating for about two months after meeting when Lira was working as an exotic dancer at a local strip club. Police discovered Gonzalez-Carbajal's decapitated body inside Lira's home in Anaheim, Orange County. Homicide detectives identified Lira as the main suspect and learned she had fled to Mexico. Local police worked with the FBI and Mexican officials to locate and apprehend the 23-year-old.

• The couple had been dating for about two months before the alleged incident.
• Gonzalez-Carbajal's decapitated body was discovered inside Lira's Anaheim home.
• Lira was taken into custody on January 22, 2026.
• Lira was turned over to Anaheim police homicide detectives on January 23, 2026 at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

What’s next

Lira is scheduled to be arraigned on February 13 and is currently being held at the Orange County Jail without bail. If convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life.