The mid-sized dark color SUV that was headed westbound on Central following the disappearance of a Memphis mother and junior kindergarten teacher Eliza Fletcher has been located, and a man who was inside of that vehicle has been detained, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
There was also an active police scene at an apartment complex in Southeast Memphis near where the vehicle was found. It is unclear at this point what investigators are doing at the complex.
Fletcher has not been found and police are still asking for anyone with information related to this disappearance to call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528 CASH.
Fletcher's family has posted an extra $50,000 reward with CrimeStoppers for information that helps authorities arrest those responsible. They have also released a statement:
The University of Memphis Police called MPD to assist about 7 a.m. Friday after receiving a missing person report for Fletcher, known as Liza, a junior kindergarten teacher at Saint Mary's Episcopal School.
According to Memphis Police, Fletcher had been jogging in the area of Central and Zach Curlin about 4:30 a.m. when an unknown person approached her and forced her into an SUV. U of M police said in a safety alert to students and staff a man had approached her in the middle of Central Ave. and forced her into the vehicle after a brief struggle.
The UofM police said Fletcher’s cell phone and water bottle were found in front of a home owned by the university in the 3800 block of Central Ave.
Fletcher is 5’6” tall and 137 pounds with light brown/blonde hair and green eyes. Her hair was in a bun and she was wearing a pink jogging top and purple running shorts.
Her family posted the reward money this afternoon and issued a statement:
“We look forward to Eliza’s safe return and hope that this award will help police capture those who committed this crime.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. The University of Memphis Police can be reached at 901-678-4357 (HELP).
Buddy Chapman, CrimeStoppers executive director, said the award will go to the anyone who provides information that helps police make an arrest.
