• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Man charged in the abduction of Eliza Fletcher

The Tennesee school teacher remains missing

Cleotha Abston

Cleotha Abston (Tennessee Department of Corrections)

September 4, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A suspect has been charged in the abduction of Tennessee school teacher Eliza Fletcher, a billionaire’s granddaughter who’s been missing since she went jogging early Friday morning, police said.

Cleotha Abston, 38, was identified as the suspect on Sunday after police found him in possession of the black SUV wanted in connection to Fletcher’s abduction. He is charged with aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence, the New York Post reported.

Fletcher, 34, was taken by force and loaded into a dark GMC Terrain while jugging about 4:30 a.m. on Friday. Her water bottle and smashed cell phone were found nearby.

SUV
Police said this is the SUV used to kidnap Eliza Fletcher. (Memphis Police Department)

The wife and mother of two remains missing as state and federal law enforcement authorities continue to search for her.

A second man was charged with unrelated offenses as a result of the investigation, but is not believed to be connected to the kidnapping.

Mario Abston, 36, faces a slew of charges, which include possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture and sell fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture and sell heroin, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, The Post reported.

Each defendant was booked at the Shelby County Jail early Sunday.

Eliza Fletcher
Memphis police say Eliza Fletcher was abducted while out for a run early Friday morning. (Memphis Police Department)

Fletcher teaches at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. Her family offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to her return.

“It’s just a matter of waiting and hoping and praying,” her father-in-law, Richard Fletcher Jr,  told The Post. Fletcher said he visited his son, Richard Fletcher III, and they talked “about his wife [being] missing and how hard it is and how unexpected it is and how hard it is to cope with something that seems so random.”

Eliza Fletcher
Eliza Fletcher (St. Mary’s Episcopal School)

Fletcher is the granddaughter to hardware mogul Joseph “Joe” Orgill III. His privately owned wholesale business, Orgill Inc., is described as “the world’s largest independent hardlines distributor with annual sales of $3 billion,” according to the company’s website. They employ more than 5,500 people.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Cleotha AbstonEliza FletcherkidnappingMario AbstonmemphisMemphis Police Department
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Joseph McKinney

Memphis police officer, suspect killed during gun battle

April 12, 2024
Jasmine Moss

Beautician arrested after posting photos of 5-year-old daughter giving naked women bikini waxes

February 21, 2024
Demarkus Davis

Tennessee man accused of child rape escapes during 13-degree snowstorm; surrenders less than an hour later

January 18, 2024
Derica Wiggins

Tennessee woman charged with setting fire to bed occupied by ex-boyfriend, his girlfriend and baby

December 19, 2023
Yolanda Cooper-Sutton

Drive-by shooting interrupts Memphis City Council candidate’s interview on violent crime

May 25, 2023

Mother arrested after abusing child in front of police station

May 2, 2023
Load More

Latest Articles

Sheriff: If You Throw a Brick At Our Deputy, ‘We Will Kill You, Graveyard Dead’

June 13, 2025

Former USAID Officer and Executives Plead Guilty in $550 Million Bribery Scheme

June 13, 2025

A Case Study in Federal Corruption and Media Silence

June 12, 2025

‘Completely blew it’: Former union president calls out Minneapolis Police Department leadership missteps

June 12, 2025
Pixabay

Police Shoot Man Wielding Chainsaw During Disturbance

June 12, 2025
FBI raids

FBI: If Local Agencies Don’t Prosecute Violence, The DOJ Will…

June 9, 2025
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

Protect Your Privacy

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

POPULAR GEAR

Tactical Pants

Tactical Boots

 

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2024 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2024 LawOfficer.com