New court records have provided additional details in the ongoing homicide investigation of Isabella Mary Alexandria Stroupe, 19, who was found dead in her apartment on May 1, 2026. Thomaz Kenon Hamilton, 27, has been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape in connection with her death.
The Discovery of Stroupe’s Death
The investigation began around 3:35 a.m. on May 1 when Hamilton called dispatch, claiming that his girlfriend, Stroupe, had stopped breathing. Officers from the Hickory Grove Division of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) responded to the QuikTrip gas station on Albemarle Road before arriving at Stroupe’s apartment in the 6600 block of Yateswood Drive.
At the scene, Stroupe was found dead in a bedroom, bound with a tow strap, and suffering from multiple injuries. Crime Scene detectives collected evidence from the apartment, including a knife wrapped in cellophane with suspected blood, a baseball bat, a sword, broken cell phones, clothing, and a mattress with potential bloodstains.
Medical Examiner’s Findings
On May 4, the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office informed detectives that Stroupe had sustained multiple injuries, including broken and fractured bones and stab wounds. The medical team also indicated that Stroupe appeared to have been tortured “over a period of several months.”
Hamilton’s Interview and Charges
Following the discovery of Stroupe’s body, CMPD’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) located Hamilton and brought him in for questioning. During the interview, Hamilton allegedly stated that he had intercourse with Stroupe during what he described as her “heart attack.” However, court documents indicated that Stroupe would have been physically unable to provide consent for sexual intercourse at the time of the incident.
As a result of the investigation and interview, Hamilton was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape. He appeared in court on Wednesday, May 6, and is currently being held at the Mecklenburg County Detention Center without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 27, 2026.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Stroupe’s death, and Hamilton’s charges are expected to result in further legal proceedings as the case unfolds.
