ANAHEIM, CA – Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old woman accused of killing and decapitating her boyfriend before fleeing to Mexico, following a five-month international search that ended with her extradition back to California.

Alyssa Marie Lira was taken into custody on Jan. 22 on suspicion of murder in the gruesome death of 55-year-old Enrique Gonzalez-Carbajal. Investigators allege that after dating Gonzalez-Carbajal for just two months, Lira used a knife to kill him inside her Anaheim home in late August 2025, then immediately left the country.

Police were called to the residence on August 25, just after 2 p.m., where they discovered Gonzalez-Carbajal’s headless body. Officials launched a homicide investigation and soon identified Lira as the primary suspect. Investigators say she crossed into Mexico within hours of the killing.

The severity of the crime led to a widespread search involving Anaheim detectives, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Organized Crime Unit, the FBI, and Mexican law enforcement. Authorities coordinated with agents stationed in Mexico and worked with local authorities there to locate and apprehend Lira.

After several months, officials tracked Lira down and secured her arrest. She was then returned to the United States to face charges, including felony murder and a felony weapon enhancement for allegedly using a knife during the crime. Details on the specific type of knife used have not been released.

Authorities have not revealed a potential motive for the killing. They have described the case as particularly chilling, pointing to the brutality inflicted on Gonzalez-Carbajal and the trauma experienced by his family and friends.

Prosecutors emphasized that international borders and the passage of time would not deter them from seeking justice. Officials noted the collaborative efforts between local, federal, and international agencies that ultimately resulted in Lira’s capture.

Following her arrest, Lira was booked into the Orange County Jail and is being held without bail. Her arraignment is set for February 13.

As the case moves forward, Gonzalez-Carbajal’s loved ones remain at the forefront of officials’ concerns. Law enforcement has expressed condolences to the victim’s family and has committed to ensuring accountability through the legal process.

No further details about the investigation or the circumstances leading up to the killing have been made public. Lira awaits her first court appearance as authorities continue to prepare for prosecution.