Man pleads guilty to kidnapping, killing Memphis teacher while she was running

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (TCN) -- A judge ordered a 40-year-old man to spend the rest of his life behind bars after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the kidnapping and killing of a kindergarten teacher in 2022.

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday, Oct. 28, that Cleotha Abston entered the plea for first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher. As a result, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Abston’s trial was scheduled for February.

Fletcher was reported missing to the University of Memphis Police Department at around 7:45 a.m. on Sept. 2, 2022. Memphis Police began assisting with the investigation and learned Fletcher was last seen jogging at 4:20 a.m. when "an unknown individual approached her" and "forced" her into an SUV.

Memphis Police identified Abston as a person of interest and arrested him the next day. He was initially charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Fletcher’s remains were located on Sept. 6, 2022. After that, prosecutors charged Abston with murder.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, a jury convicted Abston in April of aggravated rape, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and aggravated kidnapping in a separate case from 2021.

The district attorney’s office described Fletcher as a "devoted mother and beloved kindergarten teacher at St. Mary’s Episcopal School."

Fletcher’s family wrote a statement to Abston, "We have no idea what happened to you to turn you into someone so filled with a desire to hurt people. Whatever it was, it does not excuse or explain what you have done. You have changed our lives forever, and nothing will ever be the same. Your actions were evil. There is no other word for it. You murdered Liza, even though she did nothing to deserve it. She did not hurt you. In fact, she would’ve been the first to help if you needed it."

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