Eliza Fletcher, a 34-year-old Memphis mother of two who went by Liza, was abducted during an early morning jog Friday. Investigators say as the junior kindergarten teacher ran down a stretch of Central Avenue near the University of Memphis, she was “abducted and forced into a mid-sized, dark-colored SUV” around 4:30 a.m. Memphis police tell Fox News Digital they received two calls around 7:45 a.m., one from Fletcher’s husband, Richard Fletcher III, and one from the University. They found some of her belongings at the scene and were told a man approached Fletcher and forced her into a dark SUV after a struggle. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation later identified the vehicle as a GMC Terrain. He regularly jogged in the area, authorities said. Fletcher is an avid runner who has qualified for the Boston Marathon. TENNESSEE WOMAN KIDNAPPED, FORCED INTO SUV WHILE RUNNING THROUGH MEMPHIS, POLICE SAY Photos provided by the Memphis Police Department show Eliza Fletcher running early Friday morning (Memphis Police Department) A Memphis magazine wedding announcement reveals that Fletcher married her husband Richard on March 8, 2014 at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens on Park Avenue. It is described as “outdoorsy, sporty and warm”. She’s been celebrating their anniversary on Instagram every year since, including a series of selfies this year. “[Eight] years in the making with this smoking baby,” he wrote. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even if the stomach runs through our family!’ Fletcher’s parents declined to comment and no one answered the phone at the home she shares with her husband and two children. Images posted online showed a significant police presence there on Friday night. VA POLICE HUNT NAKED CRAZY IN SERIES OF ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF TEENAGE WOMAN: REPORT Fletcher was an avid runner (Liza Fletcher/Facebook) In a March 2021 Instagram post, her husband, Richard Fletcher, commemorated their seven-year wedding anniversary with a picture of them smiling over an outdoor brunch table. “Yesterday marked 7 years married to this beauty!” He wrote. “If you asked us in year 3 if we’d make it to 7, we probably would have said NO! We obviously weren’t given the memo that a healthy marriage isn’t going to come easily. Thankfully, we put God/Recovery first, we were both willing to believe the each other and asked for help.” She continued, “We are so grateful for the individual counseling, couples counseling, recovery, and friends! We can honestly say we wouldn’t have it any other way!” Memphis police told Fox News Digital Friday night that the couple’s husband and two children were OK. The spokesman declined to comment further. At an earlier news briefing, he said police knew of no connection between Fletcher’s abduction and reports from earlier in the semester that someone was harassing members of the University of Memphis women’s cross country team as they ran in the area. NY SEXY TRAFFICKER MAY HAVE HUNDREDS OF IMMIGRANT VICTIMS FORCED INTO PROSTITUTION BY THREAT OF DEPORTATION: FBI Last year, the school where she works, St. Mary’s Episcopal School, praised her in a Facebook post as someone whose “smile lights up every room she walks into.” “She is a loving and passionate teacher who is always looking for creative ways to teach all students,” the post reads. In a letter to students Friday, Head of School Albert Throckmorton wrote that Fletcher, identified as “JK’s Teacher,” was “reported to have been abducted early this morning.” She is a graduate of Baylor University who earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise and sports science. He later received a master’s degree in teaching from Belmont University. Fletcher was “reported missing after not returning home” at 7 a.m. (Jennifer Sink/Facebook) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Fletcher is described as a white female with blonde hair and green eyes. He is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs about 137 pounds. She wore a pink sports top and purple running shorts, with her hair up and a matching headband. Anyone with information about the kidnapping is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH. Fox News’ Lawrence Richard contributed to this report. Michael Ruiz is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @mikerreports
