Eliza Fletcher: Police identify body found in search for heiress

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Police in Tennessee say a body found on Monday is that of missing heiress Eliza Fletcher. The 34-year-old mother-of-two was a teacher in the area, and the granddaughter of a local billionaire. She was abducted while jogging early on Friday morning near the University of Memphis campus. Cleotha Abston – a 38-year-old man with a previous conviction for abduction – has been charged with kidnapping and murdering Ms Fletcher. Her family issued a statement after the discovery of her body, saying they were “heartbroken and devastated”. “Liza was a such a joy to so many – her family, friends, colleagues, students, parents, members of her Second Presbyterian Church congregation, and everyone who knew her,” they said. “Now it’s time to remember and celebrate how special she was and to support those who cared so much for her.” Well-known in the community, Ms Fletcher was the granddaughter of the late Joseph Orgill III, a billionaire local hardware magnate and philanthropist. His company is now reportedly worth over $3bn (£2.6bn) and employs more than 5,000 people.(BBC)…[+]