Police made an arrest in connection to the disappearance of Eliza Fletcher, a Tennessee teacher and heiress to a billion-dollar company who was kidnapped while jogging early Friday.
Cleotha Abston, 38, has been detained and charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence, the Memphis Police Department said on Sunday. Another person was also arrested during the investigation, but police said this person is “currently not believed to be connected” to the abduction of Fletcher, who remains missing.
MEMPHIS JOGGER ABDUCTED ON STREET, BUNDLED INTO SUV IS BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS
“The investigation into the abduction of Eliza Fletcher is still active and ongoing. Investigators are continuing the search and following all leads,” Memphis police said.
BREAKING OVERNIGHT : Police have arrested a suspect in the kidnapping case of Memphis teacher Eliza Fletcher. Cleotha Abston, 38, has been charged with Especially Aggravated Kidnapping and Tampering with Evidence, Memphis Police announced early Sunday. pic.twitter.com/2E9r6Hcdvb
— Jordan James (@JordanJamesTV) September 4, 2022
Fletcher, 34, is the granddaughter to hardware magnate Joseph “Joe” Orgill III, whose wholesale family business, Orgill Inc., is described as “the world’s largest independent hardlines distributor with annual sales of $3 billion,” according to the company’s website. She is married to Richard “Richie” Fletcher III and a mother to their two children.
Fletcher was last seen in a pair of purple jogging shorts and a pink top at around 4:20 a.m. near the University of Memphis on Friday morning before she was pushed into an SUV by an “unknown individual,” Memphis police said in a press release. She is approximately 5’6″ and 137 pounds with brown hair and green eyes, according to the release.
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Fletcher’s family is offering a $50,000 cash prize for information that leads to her rescue. “We look forward to Eliza’s safe return and hope that this award will help police capture those who committed this crime,” Fletcher’s family said in a statement.
Authorities are encouraging the public to assist with their investigation and call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH if they have information.
