(CNN) Memphis police found an unidentified body Monday about 20 minutes from where teacher Eliza "Liza" Fletcher was violently abducted three days ago, according to a tweet from the police department.
"The identity of this person and the cause of death is unconfirmed at this time. The investigation is ongoing," the tweet said.
Police have been searching the Memphis area for Fletcher, 34, since Friday. The mother of two was jogging around 4 a.m. when a black GMC Terrain SUV passed by her, according to surveillance footage obtained of the incident. A man was then seen getting out of the vehicle and running "aggressively" toward Fletcher and forcing her into the passenger side of the SUV. Once both individuals were inside the SUV, the vehicle remained in a parking lot for about four minutes before driving away, according to the footage cited in an affidavit obtained by CNN.
The affidavit stated police found "physical evidence that she suffered serious injury."
Cleotha Abston, 38, was arrested Saturday after police found the GMC Terrain in a parking lot near his residence, according to the affidavit. The vehicle had the same distinguishable damage and partial license plate identification seen in the surveillance footage from Fletcher's abduction.
nuggetandbun on September 6th, 2022 at 02:44 UTC »
This is just tragic, no matter if the unidentified body is someone else’s or Eliza’s. An innocent person lost their life because of some sick psycho.
Thedrunner2 on September 6th, 2022 at 02:40 UTC »
The CNN report states the suspect Cleotha Abston “He pleaded guilty in November 2001 to the charge of especially aggravated kidnapping. He was released in November 2020, according to court records.”
Terrible story. So sorry for her family.
comfort_fiend on September 6th, 2022 at 02:38 UTC »
That poor woman and her kids and family. My god, how horrible.