Memphis Police have identified a body found near a Memphis neighbourhood as that of Eliza Fletcher, a school teacher who was reported missing on Friday. The suspect has been detained and charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping.

Eliza Fletcher was abducted while out for a run in Memphis on Friday. Memphis police said in a statement on Saturday that they had located the vehicle of interest and detained man.

“The vehicle of interest has been located and a male who was occupying the vehicle has been detained. Eliza Fletcher has not been located. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH,” Memphis Police Department tweeted on Saturday. 

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Who is Eliza Fletcher?

Eliza ‘Liza’ Fletcher was a Tennessee-based teacher who belonged to a prominent Memphis family. She was the granddaughter of Joseph Orgill III, a well-known philanthropist and business owner who co-ran the Memphis-based hardware distributor Orgill Inc. 

Fletcher was jogging near the University of Memphis campus at approximately 4:30 am on Friday when she a man approached her and forced her into a dark-colored GMC Terrain after a brief struggle, police said.

University of Memphis police said in a safety alert that a “male approached her at approximately 4:30 a.m. in the middle of Central Avenue and appeared to leave with her in an unknown vehicle following a brief struggle.”

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Her family, her husband, brother, and parents, held a press conference on Saturday and spoke publicly on her abduction for the first time

“We want to start by thanking everyone for their prayers and outpouring of support. Liza has touched the hearts of many people and it shows. We want to thank the Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, TBI, FBI and all of the other law enforcement agencies who are working tirelessly to find Liza,” her uncle had said. 

Fletcher’s family has offered a $50,000 reward for information in the case.