Cleotha Abston Pleads Guilty to Murder of Memphis Teacher Eliza Fletcher

Abston sentenced to life in prison without parole for the 2022 abduction and killing of the beloved educator.

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.