Authorities confirmed Tuesday that a body discovered during the investigation into the disappearance of Eliza Fletcher, the 34-year-old woman who was abducted during a run Friday morning, was the missing jogger.
Police in Memphis, Tennessee, announced Monday that a body had been discovered one day after charges in an alleged kidnapping case were announced against a man.
Cleotha Abston, 38, was charged with kidnapping and tampering with evidence in connection with Fletcher’s disappearance on Sunday, according to Memphis police.
Following the identification of her body, police said Abston was charged with first-degree murder and first-degree murder in the commission of a kidnapping. A judge set his bond at $510,000 during a hearing on Tuesday.
Because Abston could not afford a lawyer, he was assigned a public defender.
According to police, around 4:20 a.m. Friday, someone approached Fletcher, a runner, kindergarten teacher, and mother of two, and forced her into an SUV.
According to an affidavit linked to a criminal complaint, a pair of Champion slide sandals recovered from the area where Fletcher went missing contained DNA matching Abston.
According to an affidavit Linked to a criminal complaint, a pair of Champion slide sandals recovered from the area where Fletcher went missing contained DNA matching Abston.
According to the document, security video from the scene showed “a black GMC Terrain passing and then waiting for the victim to run by.” According to the report, a male exited the vehicle, ran toward Fletcher, and forced her into the passenger seat.
“During this abduction, there appeared to be a struggle,” the document said. “The Champion slides sandals were found in this area. The vehicle then sat in the parking lot with the victim inside for approximately four minutes before it drove off.”
The cause of death and manner of death have not been disclosed.
Investigators allegedly obtained cellular records that showed Abston’s cell phone was near the location where Fletcher was forced into the vehicle.
According to the affidavit, officers arrested Abston on Saturday after discovering a GMC Terrain with a matching license plate number in a parking lot near Abston’s house.
According to authorities, Mario Abston, Cleotha Abston’s brother, was also arrested, but he is not believed to be involved in Fletcher’s kidnapping. According to cops, he was charged with drug and firearms offences.
