The suspect charged with murdering Memphis mother of two, Eliza Fletcher, is also facing additional kidnapping and rape charges stemming from an “unrelated” case.
Cleotha Abston, 38, is also being charged with unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon. According to court records, a grand jury indicted him on the additional charges Thursday.
Memphis police told Fox News about the new charges, but the Public Information Officer who spoke with the outlet didn’t provide any other details.
The suspect was released from prison in 2020 after serving two decades for kidnapping an attorney.
Fletcher, 34, was jogging early in the morning on Sept. 2 when she was allegedly kidnapped by Abston. He reportedly forced her into a dark-colored GMC Terrain. Surveillance video captured the SUV in the area shortly before Fletcher was abducted, according to authorities.
The following day, Abston was taken into custody and refused to say where Fletcher was. On Monday, Fletcher’s body was discovered in an area where Abston was seen on video cleaning out the GMC Terrain.
His brother, who is also facing gun and drug charges, was one of two people who told police they had seen the suspect washing out the vehicle and cleaning clothes in the sink.
No details about how Fletcher died have been released. She was a teacher and granddaughter of a late billionaire.
Abston is being held without bond in a Memphis jail. His next scheduled court appearance is on Sept. 19.
