Shelby District Attorney Steve Mulroy said Tuesday that authorities have “no reason to think” that Eliza Fletcher’s murder “was anything other than an isolated attack by a stranger.”
“To lose someone so young and so vital is a tragedy in and of itself, but to have it happen in this way, with a senseless act of violence, it’s unimaginable,” said Mulroy, who expressed his condolences to the Fletcher family.
Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn Davis said Tuesday “it’s too early to determine place and method of death” for Fletcher.
“While the outcome of this investigation is not what we hoped for, we are nonetheless pleased to remove this dangerous predator off the streets of Memphis,” said Davis at a joint press conference with local and federal law enforcement regarding the abduction and murder of Fletcher.
Fletcher’s body was discovered Monday in the back of a vacant duplex apartment in the 1600 block of Victor Street, and positively identified on Tuesday, Davis said.
“This finding marked the culmination of a four-day intensive investigation incorporating robust search and rescue effort,” said the police chief.
Cleotha Abston was arrested and has been charged with first-degree murder, premeditated murder and murder in the perpetration of a kidnapping, CNN has reported. Abston is also charged with unrelated offenses, including identity theft, theft of property and credit card fraud, the chief said.
Davis said the community is greatly “impacted by the tragic and heinous kidnapping.”
