Claire Reid
The family of a 34-year-old woman who vanished while out jogging in Memphis is offering $50,000 for information leading to her return.
Mum-of-two Eliza Fletcher, who works as a kindergarten teacher, was abducted by an unknown person while out jogging near the University of Memphis, police have said.
Memphis police have said Fletcher was forced into a dark coloured SUV at around 4.20 am and are urging anyone with any information to come forward.
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In announcing the reward money, the family said: “We look forward to Eliza’s safe return and hope that this award will help police capture those who committed this crime.”
Fletcher is 5ft 6in with brown hair and green eyes, and when she disappeared she was wearing purple shorts and a pink sports bra - officers have shared CCTV footage of her from the day she vanished.
She was reported missing at around 7.45am, after she failed to return home from her run.
In a statement, Memphis Police Department said: “At approximately 7:45 am, officers were dispatched to assist the University of Memphis police regarding a missing person that occurred in the area of Central and Zach Curlin.
“Upon arriving on the scene, officers were advised that a female was jogging in the area at approximately 4:20 am when an unknown individual approached her. The female was reportedly forced into an SUV and taken from the scene.
“The suspect was possibly in a dark coloured SUV traveling westbound on Central.”
An update from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added: “We have updated the poster to include new information about the vehicle being sought… a dark-coloured GMC Terrain.”
Hart Robinson, a friend of Fletcher’s, told WREG: “We don’t know what’s going on, but everybody is desperately looking for her and the police here are on it. You can see there is a lot of activity, so if you know anything or saw anything early this morning, we just ask that you come forward.”
Fletcher works at St. Mary's Episcopal School, in a letter to students seen by Fox, Head of School Albert Throckmorton wrote: "We join the Fletcher and Wellford families in praying for Liza’s safety.
"We have not told our younger students about Mrs. Fletcher. We are supporting the older students as they learn of this news."
Anyone with information is urged to call MPD at 901-528-CASH (2274), 901-545- COPS (2677), or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to UNILAD via [email protected]