Female jogger in Florida fights off attacker days after Eliza Fletcher's death
Shola Lee
Featured Image Credit: Orange County Sheriff's Office/@xaviertb68/Instagram
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.
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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.
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