The kidnapping of a Memphis school teacher in the early hours of yesterday morning has quickly gripped the world, after her abduction was caught on CCTV cameras along the route she was jogging.
34 year old Eliza Fletcher, a billion dollar heiress, was forced into a dark SUV at 4.30am on September 2nd whilst out on her morning jog. The abduction took place in the 3800 block of Central Avenue in Memphis, TN; her water bottle and smashed phone located near by.
Who is Eliza Fletcher?
A married mother of two and pre-kindergarten teacher, Eliza Fletcher has been described as an avid runner who qualified for the Boston Marathon.
She is “the granddaughter of the late Joseph ‘Joe’ Orgill III,” A well known hardware businessman and philanthropist who has supported causes including Dixon Gallery and Gardens and Church Health.
Eliza married in 2014 to Richard Fletcher III, with the ceremony held at nearby Second Presbyterian Church, which was where the couple first met.
Taking to Facebook, her family and friends have appealed for her safe return. Jennifer Sink wrote:
Liza Fletcher is my niece and she was abducted this morning while jogging on Central near the U of Memphis campus around 4:30 am. She was forced into a dark SUV. If you have seen her or have any of info please call 911
Describing Eliza as a phenomenal, amazing woman, her friend wrote:
She is an avid runner, mother and teacher. She qualified for the Boston Marathon. You can’t teach, raise children and train all in regular business hours. She is a phenomenal amazing woman who needs our help, not any judgment.”
George Robertson, the senior pastor at Second Presbyterian Church, told the Commercial Appeal:
She and her husband Ritchie are both very active and great leaders in our congregation. They have two little boys who have come up to me every week and give me a hug.
Fletcher, commonly known as Liza, also has a heavy social media presence in recent years; showcasing pictures of her children and writing about her love for true crime podcasts. One Instagram post reads:
The boys woke me with handmade cards, balloons and breakfast. I love my family. I am an imperfect mother. Everyday I am working to move from rigidity to flexibility, shame to grace, perfection and criticism to acceptance and gratefulness. I want to be a mom that is a safe place for the boys to feel, be themselves and fail while learning. As a raise these boys I am reteaching my inner child at the same time. Gotta give a shout out to @fletch_livves who goes through this process with me and loves me at the same time. #surrender
In a Facebook update, Memphis Police Department wrote:
At approximately 7:45 am, officers were dispatched to assist the University of Memphis police regarding a missing person that occurred in the area of Central and Zach Curlin.
Upon arriving on the scene, officers were advised that a female was jogging in the area at approximately 4:20 am when an unknown individual approached her. The female was reportedly forced into an SUV and taken from the scene.
The suspect was possibly in a dark color SUV traveling westbound on Central.
Officers are working to gather additional information. Once we receive updated information, we will provide additional details.
The victim is a female White, Eliza Fletcher, 34, 5’6”, 137 lbs, brown hair, with green eyes.
Officers have been able to obtain video of the possible suspect's vehicle. A photo of the vehicle is included below. Eliza Fletcher was wearing a pink sports top, blue shorts, and tennis shoes.
Whilst the suspects identity is currently unknown, Eliza’s family have offered $50,000 for any information leading to her finding.
Please contact Crimestoppers at 901-528-CASH with any information.
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