Cleotha Abston Sentenced to Life for Murder of Eliza Fletcher

The Tennessee man pleaded guilty to charges including first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping, avoiding a death penalty trial.

Eliza Fletcher, a kindergarten teacher and mother of two, was abducted during a morning jog in Memphis in September 2022.
Cleotha Abston, 40, was identified through DNA evidence and surveillance footage as the perpetrator of the crime.
Abston's guilty plea to multiple charges, including first-degree murder, resulted in a life sentence without parole.
The case deeply affected the Memphis community, sparking tributes and running events in Fletcher's honor.
Fletcher's family expressed profound loss, describing her as a beloved figure whose life was tragically cut short.