(MEMPHIS) Memphis Police have charged 38-year-old Cleotha Abston with aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Sadly, Eliza “Liza” Fletcher has not been located. 

Police report that the SUV was in a parking lot for about 4-minutes before driving away. During that time, the victim was allegedly inside. 

When police approached Abston, he reportedly attempted to flee, but was taken into custody.

Reports indicate that there was blood in the rear of the SUV, and authorities feel that Eliza Fletcher possibly suffered serious injuries. 

Surveillance cameras got pictures of 34-year-old Eliza “Liza” Fletcher running in the area of Central Avenue and Zach Curlin Street. She was an experienced runner who regularly was in this area and had qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Arrest Made

Cleotha Abston was arrested early Saturday (9/3/2022) morning. His bond was set at $500,000. 

During a Sunday morning press conference, Memphis Police noted that Abston was detained on Saturday (9/3/2022) when the SUV was located and the suspect was inside it.

University of Memphis Police found the woman's cell phone and water bottle in front of a home owned by the university in the 3800 block of Central Avenue.

One of the key pieces of evidence that linked Abston to the case was a pair of Champion's slide sandals that had Abston's DNA on them. They were found near Mrs. Fletcher's cell phone and water bottle, where a violent struggle reportedly occured.

Video surveillance showed the black GMC Terrain passed Mrs. Fletcher and then stopping to wait for her to pass. 

Authorities are conducting a thorough forensic examination of the vehicle. 

A second person with the suspect was also arrested. However, police do not feel that 36-year-old Mario Abston had anything to do with the kidnapping. He is the brother to the kidnapping suspect.

Mario Abston was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture and Sell Fentanyl, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Manufacture and Sell Heroin, and Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony.

Cleotha Abston's first court appearance is set for Tuesday (9/6/2022) in Shelby County. 

Shelby County court records show that Cleotha Abston plead guilty to an especially aggravated kidnapping charge in 2000 and was sentenced to 24-years. However, the Tennessee Department of Corrections released him in November, 2020. He was sentenced for kidnapping Memphis attorney Kemper Durand. 

Billionaire Heiress

Her grandfather is Joseph Orgill, III, who pledged the $50,000 reward for information about her whereabouts. (Orgill, Inc. is a Memphis based hardware distributor)

Although her net worth is not known, Eliza Fletcher is the heiress to a business with an estimated worth of $3.2 billion and ranks #143 on the Forbes list of America’s largest private businesses.

Description of Victim

This remains an active case, as police continue to search for the 34-year-old mother of two who reportedly was abducted around 4:30AM last Friday morning while jogging on the University of Memphis campus.

According to the TBI, Eliza “Liza” Fletcher is a 34-year-old white female with blonde hair and green eyes, about 5-feet 6-inches tall, and weighs around 137 pounds. She was last seen wearing a pink athletic top, purple running shorts, and a matching headband that held up her hair.

She was a kindergarten teacher at St. Mary's Episcopal School in Memphis. 

The TBI continues to be the statewide connection with this case.

If you see anything or have information about this kidnapping or the whereabouts of Mrs. Fetcher, contact the TBI (Tennessee Bureau of Investigation) immediately. Phone 800-TBI-FIND (824-3463). You can also contact the police where you are located. 

DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.

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