Overview

• Cleotha Abston admitted to the kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher, avoiding a trial and potential death penalty.
• Fletcher, a 34-year-old teacher and mother, was abducted during a morning jog near the University of Memphis in September 2022.
• Her murder deeply affected the Memphis community, leading to ongoing memorial runs in her honor.
• Abston's criminal history includes a prior conviction for a 2021 rape, which was solved through DNA evidence after Fletcher's death.
• A new Tennessee law now mandates quarterly reports on the processing times for sexual assault kits, prompted by delays in Abston's earlier case.