Body found during search for missing Memphis jogger, police say

Phil Helsel
Updated ·1 min read
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Police in Memphis, Tennessee, said Monday that a body had been discovered, one day after charges were announced against a man in a kidnapping case in which the victim has not been found.

The deceased person's identity and cause of death have not been confirmed, police said Monday evening.

Police confirmed to NBC News on Monday night that the discovery was made during the investigation into the disappearance of Eliza Fletcher but stressed that the identity is unconfirmed.

Fletcher, 34, was abducted during a run Friday morning, police have said.

Memphis police officers search an area where a body had been found Monday. Police have not confirmed the identity of the body or the cause of death. (Mark Weber / AP)
Memphis police officers search an area where a body had been found Monday. Police have not confirmed the identity of the body or the cause of death. (Mark Weber / AP)

On Sunday, Memphis police announced that Cleotha Abston, 38, was charged with kidnapping and tampering with evidence in connection with Fletcher's disappearance. Police said then that the search was continuing.

Police have said that around 4:20 a.m. a person approached Fletcher and forced her into a dark sport-utility vehicle.

A pair of Champion slide sandals recovered from the area where Fletcher disappeared bore DNA matching that of Abston, according to an affidavit attached to a criminal complaint.

Memphis police said in an email Monday night that "the investigation into the abduction is ongoing" and that "once additional info is available, we will advise."

Related video: Florida teen accused of attacking male jogger in Jan. 2022

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com