Free Republic

The body found near the Memphis crime scene late Sunday has been identified as missing teacher and young mother Eliza Fletcher, the Memphis Police Department confirmed. Fletcher was abducted while she was running near the University of Memphis early Friday morning. Agents with the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Cleotha Abston, 38, on Saturday after matching his DNA to a pair of sandals found near the scene. Abston was charged Tuesday morning with first-degree murder, in addition to his previous charges, records show.

Authorities say they have found a body near where Eliza Fletcher was abducted while jogging in Memphis last week. The Memphis Police Department said officers in the 1600 block of Victor located a "deceased party" just after 5 p.m.

At 5:07 pm, officers in the 1600 block of Victor located a deceased party. The identity of this person and the cause of death is unconfirmed at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

The Memphis Police Department has arrested a man in connection with the kidnapping of missing teacher Eliza Fletcher. Cleotha Abston, 38, was arrested and charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence following Fletcher’s mysterious disappearance on Friday, Memphis police said early Sunday. "The investigation into the abduction of Eliza Fletcher is still active and ongoing. Investigators are continuing the search and following all leads," the police department said.