The identity of the body and cause of death have not been confirmed, police said on Twitter, adding that an investigation was underway. CNN has reached out to the coroner’s office for comment. Fletcher was jogging around 4 a.m. in a neighborhood near the University of Memphis when authorities believe a man chased her down and forced her into a black SUV. According to surveillance footage obtained from the incident, the Black GMC Terrain was initially driven by Fletcher. A man was then seen getting out of the SUV and running “aggressively” toward her before forcing her into the passenger seat of the vehicle, according to the video, which is cited in an affidavit obtained by CNN. The SUV remained in a parking lot for about four minutes after both people were inside and then began to drive away, the affidavit states. Over the weekend, police arrested and charged Cleotha Abston after finding the GMC Terrain in a parking lot near his residence, the affidavit shows. He was charged with aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Abston, 38, is being held in the Shelby County Jail on $500,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, according to jail records. It is unclear if he has an attorney. Fletcher was last seen wearing a pink jogging T-shirt and purple running shorts, police said. She is white, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with brown hair and green eyes, police said. It weighs 137 kg. He is a kindergarten teacher at the Episcopal School of St. Mary’s, according to a tweet from the school.

The facts of the case

In the affidavit, investigators presented evidence they said led them to Abston’s arrest. Cell phone records show he was at the location where Fletcher was abducted during her Friday morning abduction, according to the document. In addition, DNA found on a pair of sandals found near the scene helped investigators identify and arrest Abston, the affidavit said. Surveillance footage captured from a local theater the day before Fletcher disappeared showed Abston wearing what authorities believe are the same pair of Champion slide sandals found at the crime scene, according to the affidavit. Also, the GMC SUV police believe the abducted Fletcher was found near the Upston residence had the same distinct damage and partial license plate information seen on surveillance footage from Fletcher’s abduction, the affidavit said. Other surveillance footage combined with statements from Abston’s employer confirmed that the vehicle in question belonged to a woman associated with Abston’s home address, investigators said. Police also gathered evidence from witnesses who said they encountered Abston after the abduction. A witness said she saw Abston at his brother’s house after the abduction, according to the affidavit. The witness and his brother said Abston was acting strangely as he cleaned the interior of his SUV and washed his clothes in the sink, the affidavit said.

Abston faced a kidnapping charge in a previous case

After Abston’s arrest on Saturday, additional charges unrelated to Fletcher’s kidnapping were filed against him.
Charges include identity theft, theft of property $1,000 or less and fraudulent use/unlawful possession of a credit or debit card $1,000 or less, Shelby County Jail records show. The new charges are connected to a theft report Thursday filed by a woman who said someone was using her CashApp card and Wisley Card at gas stations without her knowledge. CNN has reached out to the Shelby County District Attorney and Memphis police about the additional charges. Court records also reveal Abston previously served prison time for aggravated kidnapping more than 20 years ago. In November 2001, Abston pleaded guilty to the charge and was released in November 2020, according to court records. The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office told local network WREG that Abston was convicted of kidnapping a local attorney in 2000. CNN’s Tina Burnside, Hannah Sarisohn, Anne Clifford and Jennifer Feldman contributed to this report.