Comment A man has been charged and arrested in the “violent” kidnapping of Eliza Fletcher, police said Sunday, but the Memphis teacher remains missing. Fletcher, 34, was last seen jogging in a pink top and purple shorts on Friday at about 4:20 a.m. near the University of Memphis campus in southwest Tennessee. Surveillance video showed her being forced into a black GMC Terrain SUV, according to an affidavit released Sunday by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The kindergartner, Lisa says, is the granddaughter of the late billionaire Joseph Orgill III, who ran Orgill, a major distributor of home improvement hardware and supplies. Police suspect Fletcher, a mother of two, suffered “serious injury” during the abduction. “There appeared to be a struggle,” the affidavit said, citing surveillance footage. A pair of sandals – along with Fletcher’s mobile phone and water bottle – were found near where she disappeared. DNA on the sandals matched that of a 38-year-old man named Cleotha Abston, Memphis police said in a statement on Twitter. Investigators also tracked Abston’s cell phone number and location history, which placed Abston in the area around the same time the abduction took place. Abston has been charged with “especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence,” police said. He was “acting strangely” and “cleaning the interior of the GMC Terrain with floor cleaner,” the affidavit said, citing statements from a witness and Ampston’s brother. They found Abston Saturday night outside his last known address, an apartment complex in front of which the SUV in question was parked. Abston tried to run away, but was captured by a group of US Soldiers. During questioning, Abston refused to tell investigators anything about Fletcher’s whereabouts, according to the affidavit. As the massive search for Fletcher continues, her family has offered a $50,000 reward for tips leading to her whereabouts. “We look forward to Eliza’s safe return and hope this award will help police catch those who committed this crime,” Fletcher’s uncle, Mike Keeney, said in a video statement released Friday night. The family could not be immediately reached late Sunday. The abduction investigation is “active and ongoing,” police said. There have been 68 reported abductions or abductions in Memphis this year, according to Memphis Public Safety data. The Episcopal School of St. Mary’s in Memphis, an all-girls prep school where Fletcher works, said in a statement on Twitter that Fletcher is a “beloved” kindergarten teacher. In cooperation with the authorities, we are asking for your help in locating our beloved JK teacher Liza Fletcher. If you have seen Lisa or have information on her location, please call MPD 901-545-COPS(2677). We join the Fletcher and Welford families in praying for Lisa’s safe return. pic.twitter.com/Hf30H6tkn3 — St. Mary’s Episcopal School (@StMarysMemphis) September 2, 2022 Police arrested Mario Abston, 36, Cleotha Abston’s brother, on drug and firearms charges but do not believe he is connected to Fletcher’s kidnapping, according to a statement.
