CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A man is facing charges of first-degree murder and first-degree rape following the death of his girlfriend, 19-year-old Isabella Mary Alexandria Stroupe, whose body was discovered in an apartment on May 1. The investigation has drawn significant attention after police classified the incident as a homicide.
Thomaz Kenon Hamilton, 24, was arrested on May 5. Law enforcement officials detailed that the case began with a report of an unresponsive female at an apartment on Yateswood Drive. Upon further investigation and consultation with the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office, authorities reclassified the circumstances surrounding Stroupe’s death to homicide.
According to police reports, Hamilton called emergency services around 3:30 a.m. on May 1, claiming Stroupe had stopped breathing. Initially directing officers to a nearby QuikTrip gas station, he later led them to the apartment, where they found her unresponsive on a bed. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
Detectives and crime scene specialists were deployed to gather evidence, discovering signs that led them to believe Stroupe’s death was not a natural occurrence. Court documents indicate that she was found with minimal clothing and had sustained various injuries, raising serious concerns about the conditions leading to her death. Investigators reported finding a bloodied knife, a baseball bat, a sword, and other bloody items, suggesting a violent environment.
The medical examiner determined that Stroupe’s death resulted from multiple stab wounds and fractures, indicating a violent and prolonged ordeal. Investigators have suggested that Stroupe may have been tortured over months and would have been unable to provide consent during sexual acts. The specifics of these findings and the exact sequence of events prior to the emergency call have not been fully disclosed.
Hamilton’s arrest came days later after he was located by a specialized team from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. He was taken into custody without incident and subsequently booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail, where he is being held without bond. The charges against him include first-degree murder, which encompasses the most serious homicide accusations, and first-degree rape, reflecting the circumstances surrounding Stroupe’s inability to consent.
Stroupe’s death has garnered public interest in the usually quiet neighborhood near Albemarle Road. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive, nor have they revealed details about the duration of Hamilton and Stroupe’s relationship, leading to speculation about the couple’s history. The police have emphasized that their investigation remains ongoing, leaving the possibility for further developments as they analyze available evidence and interview additional witnesses.
Stroupe’s family has expressed profound grief over their loss. Her sister, Marleigh Bailey, shared memories of Stroupe’s love for reading and creativity, calling her a “total bookworm” who cherished fan fiction and animated shows. The family is currently seeking assistance to cover funeral costs, underscoring the deep emotional impact of her untimely death.
As legal proceedings continue, Hamilton awaits his next court appearance scheduled for May 27. Meanwhile, law enforcement is working diligently to build a comprehensive understanding of the case, piecing together the events that led to this tragic incident.