A 19-year-old girl was tragically discovered deceased and restrained to a mattress stained with blood, allegedly a victim of prolonged abuse by her boyfriend, according to court records.
Authorities from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department in North Carolina responded to a residence on Yateswood Drive in east Charlotte on May 1 after receiving reports of an unresponsive female. At the location, they found the lifeless body of Isabella Alexandria Stroupe. The county medical examiner has classified her death as a homicide and arrested Thomaz Kenon Hamilton, aged 24, in connection with the incident.
Investigators revealed that Hamilton was romantically involved with Isabella and residing with her at the time of the tragedy.
Emergency responders found the teenager in a bedroom with scant clothing, bound to a blood-soaked mattress with a tow strap. Hamilton’s explanation was that she had a heart attack during a sexual encounter.
The examination of the victim uncovered multiple broken bones, stab wounds, and signs of long-term torture, leading to the determination that her death was a homicide.
During the investigation, authorities seized various items including a bloodstained knife, a baseball bat, a sword, several damaged cell phones, clothing possibly stained with blood, and a mattress with apparent blood traces.
Prosecutors have alleged that the young girl endured torment over several months and was incapable of consenting to sexual activity due to her physical condition, prompting charges of rape and murder against Hamilton. He was apprehended on May 5 and faces both accusations.
A candlelight vigil in memory of Isabella was organized by Mothers of Murdered Offspring, a group supporting families impacted by violent crimes. The community gathered at Camp Greene Park in west Charlotte to honor Isabella’s life, remembering her passion for creativity, literature, art, and anime. Her mother, Emily Stroupe, expressed the family’s grief, emphasizing Isabella’s innocence and youth.
The investigation into the tragic death of Isabella continues, with authorities urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
