Police suspect Fletcher, a mother of two, suffered “serious injury” during the abduction. “There appeared to be a struggle,” the statement 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 traced Abston’s cell phone number and location history, which placed Abston in the vicinity around the same time the abduction occurred.
Abston has been charged with “especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence,” police said. He was “behaving strangely” and “cleaning the interior of the GMC Terrain with a floor cleaner,” the affidavit said, citing statements from a witness and Abston’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 stopped by a team of US marshals.
During questioning, Abston refused to tell investigators anything about Fletcher’s whereabouts, according to the affidavit.
As a 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 immediately be reached late Sunday.
The kidnapping investigation is “active and continuous“, said the police. There have been 68 reported kidnappings or abductions in Memphis this year, according to Memphis Public Safety data.
St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, an all-girls prep school where Fletcher is employed, said in a statement on Twitter that Fletcher is a “beloved” junior kindergarten teacher.
In cooperation with the authorities, we are asking for your help in finding our beloved JK teacher Liza Fletcher.
If you have seen Lisa or have information on her whereabouts, call MPD 901-545-COPS (2677). We join the Fletcher and Wellford 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.
