MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — WREG obtained a copy of another police affidavit with more details about what happened when Eliza Fletcher’s body was found on Monday.
Fletcher, a 34-year-old mother and teacher, disappeared after she went for a run early Friday morning. Police said she was forced into an SUV on Central Avenue near the University of Memphis.
According to the affidavit, several law enforcement agencies were conducting a search from East Person Avenue to Victor Street based on data uncovered by the FBI when one of the officers noticed tire tracks in the grass near an abandoned home on Victor Street.
Records indicate officers also smelled the odor of decay. They found the body of a woman, later identified as Fletcher, next to a set of steps near the driveway on the side of the house.
Law enforcement also found her purple Lululemon running shorts in a discarded trash bag about 100 feet north of the scene.
Surveillance videos also revealed that the suspect’s vehicle was in the area on Friday, Sept. 2 around 5:48 a.m.
In the video, you can see Cleotha Abston get out of the SUV and go to his trunk. It’s unclear what he’s doing, but shortly after, he goes inside the apartment with what appears to be something in his hand. Abston came out minutes later and immediately walks to the passenger side of the SUV where he spends more than an hour.
Witnesses said he was cleaning out the vehicle.
Law enforcement said the same GMC Terrain was seen exiting I-240 at the South Parkway East exit. Police said surveillance footage spotted the vehicle turning west onto Person Avenue around 5:52 a.m.
The West Tennessee Medical Center verified that the body found was in fact Eliza Fletcher. Memphis Police made the announcement to the public Tuesday morning.
Memphis Police said it’s still too early to determine her cause of death.
