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Police confirm body found is kidnapped Tennessee teacher, jogger

Police officials say they will now charge defendant with first-degree murder.

Published: September 6, 2022 9:56am

Updated: September 6, 2022 10:27am

Police in Tennessee confirmed Tuesday the body found over the weekend is that of teacher Eliza Fletcher, who went missing days earlier on a morning run.

The Memphis police department on Sunday said it had charged Cleotha Abston, 38, with evidence tampering and aggravated kidnapping in connection with Fletcher's disappearance early Friday morning. 

A judge on Tuesday, in a televised court proceeding, held Abston without bond.

Police say Abston could now face first-degree murder charges.

Police found a body on Monday in the area in which the 34-year-old Fletcher, a billionaire heiress, went missing but waited to announce the name of the victim.

Fletcher, the granddaughter of a late billionaire, leaves behind her husband and two young boys.

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