Police announced on Sunday, September 4, that DNA from the sandals found in the street near the site of Eliza Fletcher's disappearance led cops to charge a suspect in connection with her kidnapping on Friday as she was running near the University of Memphis in Tennessee.
Memphis police said in a statement that 38-year-old Cleotha Abston had been charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Cops said the 34-year-old Fletcher disappeared during her 4 a.m. run and has not been located yet.
According to an affidavit that NBC News obtained, a pair of Champion slide sandals recovered from the area where the victim disappeared bore DNA matching that of the suspect. Fletcher's phone was found with the said sandals.
Video shows suspect attacking Fletcher and forcing her inside a car
According to the document, the security video from the scene showed a black GMC Terrain passing and waiting for Fletcher to run by. A male suspect then exited the vehicle, ran aggressively toward the victim, and forced her into the passenger's seat, according to Yahoo.
The document said there appeared to be a struggle during this abduction, and the Champion slides sandals were found in this area. The car then sat in the parking lot with Fletcher inside for approximately four minutes before it drove off.
Investigators obtained cellular records that alleged to have determined that the suspect's cellphone was near the site when Fletcher was forced into the vehicle. The affidavit said police officers arrested Abston on Saturday, September 3, after they found the GMC Terrain with a matching license plate number in a parking lot by the suspect's residence. He tried to flee but was ultimately taken into custody by the arresting officers.
Cleotha Abston's brother, Mario Abston, was also arrested. Authorities said the 36-year-old is not believed to be connected to Fletcher's abduction, but he was charged with firearms and drug offenses. Police said the suspect declined to tell investigators whether he knew where Fletcher was.
Investigators say Fletcher suffered a serious injury during abduction
Investigators said they believed that she suffered a serious injury because of the violent nature of her abduction and that, based on statements from witnesses, the injury left evidence, like blood, in Abston's vehicle.
Abston will be arraigned on Tuesday, September 6, via video at 9 a.m. The police statement said that investigators continue searching for Fletcher, a mom of two and a kindergarten teacher. The information added that Fletcher's kidnapping case remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Cops said earlier that Fletcher's personal items had been recovered. She wore a pink top and purple jogging shorts when she was kidnapped. WMC of Memphis reported that Fletcher's family has put up a $50,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.
