A Tennessee man, Cleotha Abston, pleaded guilty to kidnapping and killing Memphis mother Eliza Fletcher during a 2022 morning jog. He was able to avoid the death penalty with a plea to first-degree murder and faces life in prison without parole. Fletcher, 34, was abducted on September 2, 2022, and her body was found three days later. Abston was arrested the day after the abduction and initially charged with kidnapping and evidence tampering. Additional charges of first-degree murder were added later. Abston pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty due to mounting evidence against him. Prior to this case, he was convicted of a 2021 rape. Fletcher was a mother of two, a teacher, and an avid runner who had qualified for the elite Boston Marathon. She was described as full of life by her pastor and her family expressed the profound impact of her murder on their lives. Abston’s actions were described as evil and unjustified. Despite the legal resolution, Fletcher’s family believes that nothing can diminish the anguish of losing her and they are grateful for the support of law enforcement in the case. Abston will spend the rest of his life in prison for Fletcher’s murder.
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