Eliza Fletcher’s family break silence after Memphis jogger’s body discovered

MEMPHIS, TN (WREG) – Family, friends and community leaders in Memphis expressed their grief after the body of eliza fletchera local teacher who was last seen jogging on fridaywas found on Monday.

Memphis police confirmed Tuesday that Fletcher was found dead behind a house in South Memphis. Her body was discovered during a search near where police said the suspect Cleotha Abston had been seen clean your vehicle.

The 34-year-old mother’s family released a statement during a press conference with the Shelby County District Attorney and law enforcement officials on Tuesday:

“We are heartbroken and devastated by this senseless loss. Liza was such a joy to so many – her family, friends, colleagues, students, parents, members of her Second Presbyterian Church congregation, and everyone who knew her.

Now is the time to remember and celebrate how special she was and to support those who cared about her so much. We appreciate all the expressions of love and concern we have received. We are grateful beyond measure to local, state and federal law enforcement for their tireless efforts to find Liza and bring justice to the person responsible for this horrific crime.

We hope that everyone, including representatives of the media, will understand the need for the family to grieve in privacy without outside intrusion during this painful time. »

Following the release of the family’s statement, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee expressed his condolences and support on Twitter, writing:

Maria and I are heartbroken by the tragic death of Eliza Fletcher, a dedicated teacher, wife and mother of two. We raise the Fletcher family in prayer during this time of indescribable grief. I thank the police for their tireless efforts and I hope that justice will be swift and severe.

The Second Presbyterian Church, the church Fletcher attended, also expressed grief in a Facebook post:

“We deeply mourn the loss of a dear church member, Liza Fletcher.

Please join us in prayer for the Fletcher, Wellford and Orgill families, as well as the Memphis community. We seek refuge in the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation whose Son is the blessed hope of the resurrection and who, on the Great Day, will heal us and our whole world.

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris released the following statement:

“Eliza Fletcher was a tireless educator, a devoted wife and mother, and a deep-rooted member of her church and our community. Our prayers are with his family and all those touched by his life. We all hope that the perpetrator of this heinous crime will be quickly brought to justice.

Dr. Greg Jones, president of Belmont University, where Fletcher attended, shared the difference she made as a teacher in the Memphis area.

“Eliza (Wellford) Fletcher was a Belmont alumna who was making a tangible difference in her community, and we are all heartbroken by the news of her tragic death. Liza graduated from Belmont University in 2012 with a Master of Arts in Teaching and has shaped young lives as a teacher in the Memphis area. While we were all hoping for a different outcome following news of her kidnapping on Friday, we are grateful to the many law enforcement teams who worked together over the weekend to find Liza and bring justice to the person responsible. . The entire Belmont community joins many across the country in praying for Liza’s family and friends as they begin to go through incomprehensible grief.

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