KGUN 9NewsNational News

Actions

Suspect's bond revoked by judge following Eliza Fletcher’s killing

Eliza-Fletcher-Memphis-Police.png
Posted
and last updated

Cleotha Abston, the 38-year-old suspect accused of abducting and killing Memphis-area runner Eliza Fletcher, faced a judge Wednesday morning.

Police have charged Abston with murder and abduction. After originally being charged with Fletcher's abduction, Abston was given a $500,000 bond. On Wednesday, one day after prosecutors added a first-degree murder charge to his case, a judge revoked his bond.

Abston was arrested on Sunday, one day before Fletcher's body was found. Police told the Commercial Appeal that Abston refused to tell authorities where her body was located after he was arrested on Sunday.

The Commercial Appeal reported that Abston was previously convicted of abduction at age 16. He was released from prison in 2020.

Police said a surveillance video shows Fletcher in a struggle with a person before being forced into an SUV around 4:30 a.m. last Friday.

Fletcher's husband contacted police when she didn't return from her run. Authorities said her phone and water bottle were found near the area where she was abducted.

Authorities said Tuesday it was an "isolated" incident. Nationally, these incidents are considered rare.

"In contrast to whatever baseless speculation you may have seen, we have no reason to think this was anything other than an isolated attack by a stranger," said Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy.

According to CNN, police connected Abston to Fletcher's kidnapping after finding one of his sandals in the area where Fletcher was kidnapped. Abston's cell phone records also place him at the crime scene.

Fletcher was a teacher at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis