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Female jogger in Florida fights off attacker days after Eliza Fletcher's death

Home> News

Published 08:56 9 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Female jogger in Florida fights off attacker days after Eliza Fletcher's death

A female jogger in Florida was forced to fend off an alleged attacker who grabbed her along the Little Econ Greenway trail

Shola Lee

Shola Lee

A female jogger in Florida was forced to fend off an alleged attacker who grabbed her along the Little Econ Greenway trail.

The incident occurred on Sunday 4 September at around 5:00pm, as the jogger made her way down the popular hiking trail in Florida.

Thankfully, the jogger was able to fend off her attacker and take his picture.

Israel Pagan was arrested by Orange County police.
Orange County Sheriff's Office/Facebook

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Police then used this picture to canvas the area, which led to them arresting Israel Pagan, 19.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office took to Facebook to share news of his arrest: "ARRESTED: On Sunday, September 4 around 5 p.m., 19-year-old Israel Pagan grabbed a female jogger on the Little Econ Greenway Trail. The woman was able to fight him off. Detectives are now looking for other potential victims Pagan may have attacked.

"If you have information on any incidents involving Pagan, we urge you to call Central Florida Crimeline at 800-423-8477."


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According to the affidavit for the case, Pagan admitted to approaching the jogger from behind, grabbing her shoulders, and tumbling to the ground where he got on top of her.

Pagan claims he was intoxicated and backed away from the victim after the incident.

The man currently faces charges of attempted sexual battery, with police urging anyone else that's had an incident involving Pagan to come forward.

The news is particularly harrowing in light of the abduction and killing of Eliza Fletcher as she jogged by the University of Memphis just two days earlier, on 2 September.

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Memphis police said that Fletcher, 34, was forced into a dark-coloured SUV at around 4:30am.

Eliza Fletcher shortly before she was abducted.
Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Fletcher's body was later found at a vacant residence on Monday, 5 September.

Police also identified a pair of purple running shorts, which looked like 'the ones Eliza Fletcher was last seen wearing'.

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Fletcher's family released a statement following the identification of her body, saying: "We are heartbroken and devastated by this senseless loss.

"Liza was such a joy to so many — her family, friends, colleagues, students, parents, members of her Second Presbyterian Church congregation, and everyone who knew her."

Cleotha Abston, 38, was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and tampering with evidence. He also faces charges of first-degree murder.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677 

Featured Image Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Office/@xaviertb68/Instagram

Topics: News, Facebook, US News

Shola Lee
Shola Lee

Shola Lee began her journalism career while studying for her undergraduate degree at Queen Mary, University of London and Columbia University in New York. She has written for the Columbia Spectator, QM Global Bloggers, CUB Magazine, UniDays, and Warner Brothers' Wizarding World Digital. Recently, Shola took part in the 2021 BAFTA Crew and BBC New Creatives programme before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news, trending stories, and features.

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