Murderer who killed Eliza Fletcher during morning jog feels good after hearing from family

A man accused of kidnapping and killing mother and teacher Eliza Fletcher in Memphis in 2022 pleaded guilty Monday and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Cleota Abston, 40, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. The judge sentenced Abston to life in prison without parole.

Fletcher, a 34-year-old mother of two boys and a teacher at St Mary’s Episcopal School, went missing during her morning run in September 2022. Her disappearance sparked an extensive search that lasted several days until her body was found. in South Memphis.

“I want us today to recognize and celebrate the life of Lisa Fletcher, a beloved daughter, wife, mother and teacher who was tragically kidnapped and killed in a senseless act of random predatory violence,” Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. the statement says Monday. “Today’s agreement brings finality to the family. The defendant waives his right to appeal, so there won’t be years and decades of appeals. It also helps the community because this dangerous man will never walk our streets again. He will die in prison.” .

MEMPHIS CRIMINAL ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING AND MURDERING RUNNING TEACHER

Before the resolution, The trial of Abston was scheduled to begin on February 10, but on Monday he waived his right to appeal.

During Abston’s sentencing, Mulroy read a statement from Fletcher’s family to her killer.

“We have no idea what happened to you to turn you into someone who is so full of wanting to hurt people. Whatever it was, it doesn’t justify or explain what you did. You changed our lives forever, and nothing will ever change the same,” the family said in a statement.

“Your actions were evil. There is no other word for it. You killed Lisa even though she did nothing to deserve it. She didn’t hurt you. In fact, she would be the first to help you if you needed it. “

ELIZA FLETCHER DEATH: MEMPHIS KIDNAPPING SUSPECT CLEOTH ABSTON HELD WITHOUT BOUNDS

In the early morning hours of September 2, 2022, Abston camped in the area before grabbing Fletcher off the street during her morning jog, pushing her into his SUV, sexually assaulting her, and shooting her in the back of the head.

Surveillance cameras captured Abston running out of a GMC Terrain SUV and grabbing Fletcher by force around 5:30 a.m. He lost his Champion slides at the scene and police found his DNA on them.

Mulroy, Abston was identified through forensic evidence and surveillance footage wrote in the second statement Monday. He was arrested the day after Fletcher was reported missing, with security footage showing him cleaning his SUV.

Abston is a repeat offender with criminal records as a juvenile, including rape and aggravated assault.

ELIZA FLETCHER KIDNAPPING: POLICE SAY ELIZA FLETCHER KIDNAPPING: MEMPHIS TEACHER KILLED IN SUSPECTED ‘ISOLATED ATTACK BY STRANGER’

During the sentencing, Abston bowed his head as he spoke to the judge, but did not react to his guilty plea to kidnapping and murder, WREG reported. He answered “yes” to most of the questions.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

“We miss the bright light of Lisa’s life every day. Lisa meant so much to so many and her smile radiated happiness, energy and comfort. Her husband, her children, her parents, her brother, the rest of her family, her friends, her students, her school families, her fellow teachers, her church community and many others were touched by countless examples of her faith, kindness and compassion.” , the full statement of Fletcher’s family reads, the newspaper reports.

“No legal decision and no sentence can reduce suffering Lisa’s murder. We agree that her killer pleaded guilty to all charges and will spend the rest of his life in prison unable to harm anyone.”

Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.