The family of Memphis kindergarten teacher Eliza Fletcher released a statement Tuesday, hours after it was confirmed the 34-year-old’s body had been found.
Fletcher, a mother of two and the heiress to a billion-dollar hardware fortune, was allegedly stalked and murdered while out for an early morning run on Friday.
“We are heartbroken and devastated by this senseless loss,” the family said in a statement. “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.”
Fletcher taught at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis. A video of the young mother singing “This Little Light of Mine” to her class during the COVID pandemic went viral after the teacher went missing, The Daily Wire noted.
“Now it’s time to remember and celebrate how special she was and to support those who cared so much for her,” the family continued.
“We appreciate all the expressions of love and concern we have received,” the statement closed. “We are grateful beyond measure to local, state and federal law enforcement for their tireless efforts to find Liza and to bring justice to the person responsible for this horrible crime.”
Statement from the family of #ElizaFletcher pic.twitter.com/QduWVQfzW0
— Sydney Gray (@Sydney_GTV) September 6, 2022
Fletcher’s body was recovered late Monday near Victor Street and Person Avenue, about seven miles from the crime scene, where police found her water bottle and smashed cell phone, The Daily Wire reported.
— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) September 2, 2022
Cleotha Abston, a 38-year-old ex-con who has served time for kidnapping, was arrested over the weekend in connection to Fletcher’s abduction.
Abston’s DNA was reportedly found on a pair of shoes known as “slides” left at the crime scene, near the University of Memphis. His GMC Terrain also matched the vehicle seen in surveillance video, and Abston was seen cleaning the interior of the vehicle and washing his clothes in a sink shortly after Fletcher’s abduction, according to witnesses, one of whom is Abston’s brother.
Memphis Police department
St. Mary’s Episcopal School on Tuesday said in a statement released on Twitter that their community is “heartbroken” over the loss.
“We are heartbroken at the loss of our beloved teacher, colleague, and friend Liza Fletcher,” the school said. “Our hearts are with the Fletcher, Orgill, and Wellford families.”
“This morning our faculty and staff started the day in chapel,” the statement added. “We lit candles to remember Liza who was a bright light in our community. Liza embodied the song that we sing every week in Early Childhood chapel, ‘This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.'”
We are heartbroken at the loss of our beloved teacher, colleague, and friend Liza Fletcher. Our hearts are with the Fletcher, Orgill, and Wellford families. pic.twitter.com/41cePIFgos
— St. Mary's Episcopal School (@StMarysMemphis) September 6, 2022
We continue to draw strength from our all-school read, “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy. “‘We don’t know about tomorrow,’ said the horse, ‘all we need to know is that we love each other.’”
— St. Mary's Episcopal School (@StMarysMemphis) September 6, 2022
Greg Wilson contributed to this report
Related: What The World Lost: Heart-Wrenching Video Of Liza Fletcher Singing To Her Students Revealed