Suspect Cleotha Abston now faces additional charges of first-degree murder and first-degree murder for the commission of a kidnapping, MPD said. In his first court appearance, Cleotha Abston told the judge he can’t afford to post the $500,000 bail and can’t afford a lawyer. Authorities discovered a body while searching for Fletcher, a Memphis mother and teacher who police say was abducted while jogging near the University of Memphis on Sept. 2, sources said. The body was found in an area near Victor Street and Person Avenue in South Memphis around 5 p.m. Police have not confirmed the cause of death. PHOTOS: Body found during search for Eliza Fletcher, police say Eliza Fletcher Eliza Fletcher, 34, was abducted while jogging near the University of Memphis around 4:30 am. on Sept. 2, police said. (Memphis Police Department) We were transferred to Victor Street, where the police are concentrated near the intersection of Kastanon Avenue. I’ve counted at least a dozen police cars on this stretch of road and every side street is now closed. Still within a mile of bro #CleothaAbston’s address. #ElizaFletcher pic.twitter.com/Y6s8OKK7Px — Kayla Solomon (@KSolomonReports) September 5, 2022 The body was discovered not far from the Longview Gardens apartments, the place where Fletcher’s alleged kidnapper, Cleotha Abston, 38, was said to have been seen cleaning a GMC Terrain hours after the mother-of-two and teacher were abducted. Authorities said it was the same GMC Terrain he used to abduct Fletcher in the Central Avenue area and Zach Curlin. Abston was arrested two days after Fletcher’s abduction on Sept. 4 and charged with Fletcher’s abduction, although Memphis police said Abston refused to give them her location. RELATED: New charges filed against man accused of kidnapping Memphis mother near UofM WARNING: Man accused of kidnapping Eliza Fletcher previously charged with kidnapping, records show WATCH: Man charged with kidnapping Eliza Fletcher previously charged with kidnapping, records show According to authorities, sandals were found near Fletcher’s water bottle and cellphone after she was abducted. DNA on those sandals matched Abston’s, and Abston was seen wearing them the night before Fletcher’s abduction, according to police. An arrest affidavit for Abston also claims his cell phone was found in the area of Central Avenue and Zach Curlin, where Fletcher was abducted, around the same time the mother of two boys and the St. Mary. MPD has blocked off part of Orleans Street at Longview Gardens Apartments. Here MPD says Cleotha Abston cleaned out his SUV after allegedly kidnapping Eliza Fletcher. @FOX13Memphis — Dominique Dillon (@DominiqueD_TV) September 5, 2022 RELATED: Vehicle found, man arrested for kidnapping mother while jogging near University of Memphis Court records show Abston was previously charged with aggravated kidnapping in June 2000. He was sentenced to 24 years but was eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of that sentence. Download the FOX13 Memphis app to receive breaking news alerts in your neighborhood. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD Trending Stories: ©2022 Imagicom Memphis, Inc.
