Abducted Jogger Found Dead | Breaking News
Episode 443, Sep 06, 2022, 09:08 PM
After a days-long search, a 34-year-old teacher who was allegedly kidnapped while on the run was apparently found dead this week.
The Memphis Police Department was summoned at 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 2 to help the University of Memphis Police Department in identifying a missing person, Eliza "Liza" Fletcher. Fletcher was jogging at Central and Zach Curlin around 4:20 a.m. when a "unknown man approached her" and "forced" her into an SUV, according to Memphis Police.
Cleotha Abston, 38, was arrested two days later on accusations of exceptionally aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence, but Fletcher remained missing. During the investigation, Cleotha's brother, Mario Abston, was reportedly detained on drug charges, but he is "not believed to be involved to Fletcher's kidnapping."
According to inmate records, Abston is also charged with identity theft, tampering with/faking evidence, theft of property, and fraudulent use/illegal possession of a credit/debit card.
On Tuesday, September 6, Memphis Police said they discovered Fletcher's body in the 1600 block of Victor Street and charged Abston with first-degree murder and first-degree murder in the commission of kidnapping, in addition to the other criminal charges he faces.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis and other law enforcement officials said that Fletcher's remains had been discovered in an abandoned duplex in South Memphis. According to WREG-TV Abston was allegedly spotted cleaning out his black SUV near where Fletcher was discovered.
During the press conference, Davis stated that detectives "haven't obtained very much information" from Abston during questioning.
According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Fletcher was a junior kindergarten teacher at St. Mary's Episcopal School and previously taught at Promise Academy in Nashville. Her spouse, Richard Fletcher III, and she have two children. He reported her missing after she did not return from her run a few hours later.
According to the Commercial Appeal's affidavit, Fletcher was running on the University of Memphis campus when a black GMC Terrain drove by her and paused, waiting for her to pass.
According to the affidavit, "A male left the black GMC Terrain, raced aggressively at the victim, and then forced Eliza Fletcher into the vehicle's passenger side. There looked to be a fight throughout this kidnapping."
Abston was released from prison in November 2020 after serving a 24-year sentence for aggravated abduction.
Fletcher's grandpa, Joseph "Joe" Orgill III, controlled a large hardware distribution empire, according to WREG.
In a statement, Fletcher's family said, "This terrible loss has broken our hearts and devastated us. Liza brought excitement to everyone she met, including her family, friends, colleagues, students, parents, members of her Second Presbyterian Church congregation, and everyone else who knew her.
Now is the moment to remember and celebrate how amazing she was, as well as to assist those who loved her so deeply. We are grateful for all of the messages of love and care that have been sent our way. We are eternally grateful to local, state, and federal law enforcement for their persistent efforts to find Liza and bring the perpetrator of this heinous act to justice.
We hope that everyone, especially media representatives, understands the family's need to grieve privately and without outside interference during this difficult time."
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The Memphis Police Department was summoned at 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 2 to help the University of Memphis Police Department in identifying a missing person, Eliza "Liza" Fletcher. Fletcher was jogging at Central and Zach Curlin around 4:20 a.m. when a "unknown man approached her" and "forced" her into an SUV, according to Memphis Police.
Cleotha Abston, 38, was arrested two days later on accusations of exceptionally aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence, but Fletcher remained missing. During the investigation, Cleotha's brother, Mario Abston, was reportedly detained on drug charges, but he is "not believed to be involved to Fletcher's kidnapping."
According to inmate records, Abston is also charged with identity theft, tampering with/faking evidence, theft of property, and fraudulent use/illegal possession of a credit/debit card.
On Tuesday, September 6, Memphis Police said they discovered Fletcher's body in the 1600 block of Victor Street and charged Abston with first-degree murder and first-degree murder in the commission of kidnapping, in addition to the other criminal charges he faces.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis and other law enforcement officials said that Fletcher's remains had been discovered in an abandoned duplex in South Memphis. According to WREG-TV Abston was allegedly spotted cleaning out his black SUV near where Fletcher was discovered.
During the press conference, Davis stated that detectives "haven't obtained very much information" from Abston during questioning.
According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Fletcher was a junior kindergarten teacher at St. Mary's Episcopal School and previously taught at Promise Academy in Nashville. Her spouse, Richard Fletcher III, and she have two children. He reported her missing after she did not return from her run a few hours later.
According to the Commercial Appeal's affidavit, Fletcher was running on the University of Memphis campus when a black GMC Terrain drove by her and paused, waiting for her to pass.
According to the affidavit, "A male left the black GMC Terrain, raced aggressively at the victim, and then forced Eliza Fletcher into the vehicle's passenger side. There looked to be a fight throughout this kidnapping."
Abston was released from prison in November 2020 after serving a 24-year sentence for aggravated abduction.
Fletcher's grandpa, Joseph "Joe" Orgill III, controlled a large hardware distribution empire, according to WREG.
In a statement, Fletcher's family said, "This terrible loss has broken our hearts and devastated us. Liza brought excitement to everyone she met, including her family, friends, colleagues, students, parents, members of her Second Presbyterian Church congregation, and everyone else who knew her.
Now is the moment to remember and celebrate how amazing she was, as well as to assist those who loved her so deeply. We are grateful for all of the messages of love and care that have been sent our way. We are eternally grateful to local, state, and federal law enforcement for their persistent efforts to find Liza and bring the perpetrator of this heinous act to justice.
We hope that everyone, especially media representatives, understands the family's need to grieve privately and without outside interference during this difficult time."
If you like TRUE CRIME TODAY - Be sure to search and subscribe wherever you download podcasts!
Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-a-true-crime-podcast/id1504280230?uo=4
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0GYshi6nJCf3O0aKEBTOPs
Stitcher http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/real-ghost-stories-online-2/dark-side-of-wikipedia-true-crime-disturbing-stories
iHeart https://www.iheart.com/podcast/270-Dark-Side-of-Wikipedia-Tru-60800715
Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/565dc51b-d214-4fab-b38b-ae7c723cb79a/Dark-Side-of-Wikipedia-True-Crime-Dark-History
Google Podcasts https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hdWRpb2Jvb20uY29tL2NoYW5uZWxzLzUwMDEyNjAucnNz
Or Search "True Crime Today" for the best in True Crime ANYWHERE you get podcasts!
Support the show at http://www.patreon.com/truecrimetoday