How Charlotte Murder Vics Get "Un" Murdered

In Charlotte an odd thing happens on a regular basis. People are murdered and then, they get unmurdered. 

Charlotte homicides are like trains they come and go.

A year ago Alexis Reneee Legrande was murdered. But then by the end of the month her murder didn't count.

From the local media:

 A woman died Saturday after she was found shot in northwest Charlotte.

Alexis Renee Legrande, age 29

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said officers responded to Old Mount Holly Road near Aqua Chem Drive around 11 a.m. to help Medic with a call. The woman was dealing with a medical issue and was taken to a hospital. However, it was discovered when she arrived for treatment she had a gunshot wound to her chest.

The woman later died. Late in the evening Saturday, family members and loved ones identified her as Alexis Renee Legrande.

Legrande's mother told WCNC Charlotte that she is praying for justice for her daughter. She remembers Legrande as someone who always made people laugh, and had a beautiful smile, she said. 

Court records show Kenneth Darnell Reid was arrested on Saturday in connection to Legrande's death. He was appointed a public defender during his first court appearance on Monday. 

Kenneth Darnell Reid age 50 Photo Courtesy MCSO

An affidavit obtained on Monday reveals more about what may have happened that day. Reid told CMPD officers that a gun went off "once or twice," hitting Legrande during a "tussle" over the gun. 

Reid said he then dropped the gun, asked his girlfriend to hold it, and said he choked Legrande after she had been shot, according to the court document.

Detectives found evidence at the scene that suggested multiple rounds were fired, police said in the affidavit.

The woman described as Reid's girlfriend, Blake Edwards, was also in court on Monday after being arrested on accessory charges. She was given a $40,000 bond.

Edwards helped Reid by "witnessing the murder, and then assisted in cleaning the scene and took the firearm to an unknown location," a separate affidavit states. 

Reid had cleaned up the scene and put his bloody clothing in the washing machine after Medic left with Legrande that night, he told police. 

Reid will remain in custody as the case continues. He is expected to be back in court on March 21. 

Additionally Reid's girlfriend Blake Edwards was charged as an accessory after the fact.

Blake Edwards Photo Courtesy MCSO

CMPD Affidavit:

On March 1, 2025, at approximately 1113 hours, Freedom Division officers responded to 6116 Old Mount Holly Road in reference to an assist medic call for service. 

The victim, Alexis Legrande, was transported to Atrium in cardiac arrest. Alexis was pronounced deceased at 1212 hours by Dr. Rall Hospital Staff notified officers that they located possible GSW to the victim's torso

Homicide Detectives were requested to respond to the scene and the hospital.

Detectives processed the victim at the hospital and observed an apparent close contact GSW to the victim's left torso just under her breast.

Detectives conducted voluntary interview with Kenneth Reid at the LEC. Mr. Reid lives at the residence and was present when first responders arrived on scene to transport the victim

He stated the victim was acting out, acting erratic, and swinging pole at him. He stated he went to get a gun to stop her from acting out. According to Mr. Reid the victim dropped the pole and proceeded to physically tussle with him over the firearm. 

Mr. Reid stated that the gun went off one or two times and he and the victim fell to the ground. He dropped the firearm on the floor and told his girlfriend, Blake, to pick up the gun. 

He then "choked" the victim out until she stopped fighting.

Detectives found evidence at the scene to suggest that multiple rounds were fired. Mr. Reid continued and said they after medic left with the victim, he cleaned up the initial scene and placed his bloody clothing in washer machine.

Reid was initially charged with Attempted Murder, and Felon in possession a gun. The First Degree Murder Charge was added after his booking on the attempted murder charge.

But on March 26 Mecklenburg County ADA Jennifer Mills dismissed the First Degree Murder charge, saying "There is insufficient evidence to warrant prosecution for the following reasons:

Detectives had probable cause to believe Defendant committed murder at the time they sought and obtained an arrest warrant against him for murder. Thereafter, detectives obtained additional information as result of continued investigation. Given this additional information, probable cause no longer exists for murder and the State is dismissing the murder charge based on that additional information. 

The Defendant remains charged with attempted murder and possession of firearm by convicted felon at this time. As the case remains pending, the State cannot comment further at this time.

Reid was held without bond until May 2, 2025, when he was granted bond based to the dismissed murder charge. His bond was set at $120,000 secured.

On March 26, 2026 there will a "Scheduling Conference" set for 2:01 PM in 

Courtroom 5310 on the outstanding Attempted Murder Charge and Felon with a gun charge.

Since then the murder of Alexis Legrande has been removed from CMPD's 2025 crime report. 

Of the 27 homicides reported during the first quarter of 2025, seven of those have been removed from the official count. 

The reasons for changing a murder, to a death vary from suicide to justified, but when a murder does actually take place, in this case she clearly didn't shoot herself, then why remove the incident. Why back the number up just because the odds of getting a conviction are not a slam dunk?

And can you be guilty of Attempted Murder but not murder even if the person you attempted to murder died?

Lesbian Kills Her Partner Creates A Stink

Troubling details are emerging after a woman accused of killing someone inside an east Charlotte apartment faced a judge for the first time Thursday.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, what began as a welfare check Tuesday afternoon became homicide investigation.

Officers say they were called to Central Avenue in Charlotte after a caller reported someone inside an apartment might be dead.

Court documents reveal a DoorDash driver had arrived at the apartment and was told someone inside the home was dead.

When officers entered the apartment, investigators say they discovered a woman’s body hidden inside a closet, behind a door and covered with several towels. Police say the victim’s body had already begun decomposing.

Detectives later arrested 23-year-old Lhis Brito-Costa early Wednesday and charged her with first degree murder.

According to court records, Brito-Costa told investigators she had been in a relationship with the victim and allegedly shot the woman after learning the victim was involved with someone else.

During a first appearance hearing at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, a judge ordered Brito-Costa to remain in custody without bond while the case moves forward.

Officials also confirmed that an ICE detainer has been placed on Brito-Costa. Authorities have not released additional details about the detainer.

The situation was further complicated by the fact that according to CMDP Brito-Costa is deaf and speaks only Portuguese. Which would make her most likely an illegal immigrant from Brazil.

CMPD Officer Affidavit:

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at approximately 1637 hours, CMPD Eastway Division Officers responded to a check the welfare call for service at 4343 Central Avenue, Apt. D. 

The unknown victim (female) was located deceased and pronounced by an officer on scene at 1712 hours. Detectives are working on positively identifying the victim.

Detectives and Crime Scene responded and collected evidence at the scene. The victim was located covered up inside the closet in one of the bedrooms in the apartment. 

Detectives spoke with the residents, Maye (H/F), Avalos (H/M), and Brito (H/F). Maye stated that Avalos is her fiancé and that they have five children together. She stated Brito and the victim have been living with them for the past month: helping out with the kids and they are currently in relationship. 

Maye noticed that there was a bad odor in the house for few days, but did not know where it was coming from. 

Brito told Maye and Avalos that her uncle had killed the victim, but when Detectives interviewed Brito, she confessed to killing Evelyn because she was angry that Evelyn was cheating on her. 

Brito admitted to shooting the victim in the head, covering her body, and placing her in the closet.

This Detective is seeking a charge on Lhis Brito Costa (H/F DOB 04/25/2002) for 1st degree murder.

Cedar Update:

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police have ID'd the victim as Evelin Carolina Enamorado-Cisnado age 26.

ICE issued a formal detainer on Lhis Brito Costa on March 11, 2026.

Ta'anaezah Austin Attempted Murder of CMPD Officer

Tanaezah Austin the black woman who tried to run over a white CMPD Officer responding to a street take over, was released from the Mecklenburg County Jail at 2:49 am this morning.

Ta'anaezah Austin Photo Courtesy MCSO

Despite being charged with AWDW on a government official and her prior arrests she was was given only a $3,000 cash bond by magistrate Williams-McNair.

Typically a bondsman and $300 would be enough to gain her release.

Austin will have a court hearing at 1:30 this afternoon.

According to CMPD's Affidavit:

On March 1st, 2026, at approximately 0325 hours, Officers responded to traffic control call for service in the parking lot of the Harris Teeter located at 4701 Smith Farm Road.

A Call comments advised that several vehicles were doing donuts in the parking lot.

Upon arrival, officers encountered street takeover and attempted to get the vehicles to leave the parking lot. During this time, Officers attempted to get out with several of the vehicles and participants in the street takeover event. 

Officer was out of his vehicle and approached black Kia Optima (NC LKJ8903) as it was attempting to leave the parking lot. The driver stopped the vehicle, and (the) Officer began to walk in front of the vehicle to approach it from the driver's side. As he walked in front of the vehicle, the driver then began to accelerate rapidly and struck Officer causing him to roll over the hood of the vehicle. It is important to note, Officer was in his CMPD uniform and was giving the driver verbal commands to stop prior to being stuck by the vehicle. 

Officer was standing directly in front of the vehicle prior to being struck and could be clearly seen by the driver.

Officer was then able to call out the vehicle's tag as it was driving out of the parking lot.

Based on the vehicle's tag, Officer was able to positively identify the registered owner as the driver of the vehicle.

Officer was transported to the hospital for his injuries.

Cedar's Take:

Oddly MCSO listed the arrest as "See Paperwork for Charge" and CMPD's PIO offered nothing but crickets. 

Had the Officer used deadly force to stop the threat you can imagine the endless coverage by the CMPD PIO and Local Media. But because only the Officer was injured silence. 

The bond was shockingly low and I'm sure the suspect has not a clue how close she came to becoming a cause for protest. Maybe a judge will revoke her bond and set one more appropriate for the charges?