Cleotha Abston, a man with a lengthy criminal history, is scheduled for another court appearance on Thursday concerning the abduction and murder of Memphis educator Eliza Fletcher in September. The 38-year-old suspect is facing numerous charges related to the horrific incident.

In the early morning hours of September 2nd, around 4 a.m., Eliza Fletcher, a 34-year-old teacher, was on her routine morning jog near the University of Memphis when Abston allegedly forced her into his GMC Terrain SUV. Authorities believe he then sexually assaulted her before fatally shooting her.

Law enforcement officials state that Abston waited in the vicinity for approximately 24 minutes before Fletcher's abduction. Surveillance footage reportedly shows him exiting the SUV and violently seizing Fletcher. During the struggle, he lost his slides, which later provided crucial DNA evidence linking him to the crime.

Fletcher, a dedicated runner, teacher, and mother, was reported missing by her husband when she didn't return home. Days later, her body was discovered behind an abandoned house near Abston's brother's residence. Witnesses reported seeing Abston cleaning his SUV with a chemical cleaner following the abduction.

A neighbor indicated that the house where Fletcher's remains were found had been vacant for over 15 years.

Abston is currently held without bond, facing charges including murder, kidnapping, and tampering with evidence. His criminal past includes juvenile convictions for rape and aggravated assault. As a teenager, he was tried as an adult for kidnapping a Memphis attorney, Kemper Durand, forcing him to withdraw cash from ATMs.