Who is Eliza Fletcher? Community prays for 'safe return' of abducted billionaire heiress
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Billionaire heiress Eliza Fletcher, who was kidnapped on her morning jog, has been described as an “inspiration” and as someone who had a “zest for life”. Eliza Fletcher, who worked as a school teacher, was abducted on Friday, September 2, at about 4.20 am in the morning near the University of Memphis. She was jogging when she was reportedly forced inside a dark SUV by an unidentified abductor.
After an investigation was launched into the kidnapping of the 34-year-old pre-kindergarten teacher at St. Mary's Episcopal School, people who know her are praying for her. Her family has announced a reward of $50,000 to help find her while issuing a statement that read, “We look forward to Eliza’s safe return and hope that this award will help police capture those who committed this crime.”
ALSO READ
According to reports, Eliza, also identified as “Liza” and her husband of eight years, Richard 'Richie' James Fletcher III, are the attendees at Second Presbyterian Church. George Robertson, the senior pastor at the church, portrayed her as someone who was “full of life”. He told the Memphis Commercial Appeal: “She and her husband Ritchie are both very active and great leaders in our congregation. They have two little boys who have come up to me every week and give me a hug.”
The pastor continued, “She and her husband are both just inspirations in the sense of their zest for life and love of running and athletics,” before adding, “But what's most important at this time is they have a very deep and profound trust in Christ, who they have leaned on throughout their lives and who has made a real significant impact on each of them personally. That is Ritchie's trust right now.”
A friend of the woman named Hart Robinson told WREG, “You don’t wanna hear that that’s going on. We want to find her. We don’t know what’s going on, but everybody is desperately looking for her and the police here are on it. You can see there is a lot of activity, so if you know anything or saw anything early this morning, we just ask that you come forward.”
Besides, Eliza’s school peers also adore her very much. A note from the head of school, Albert Throckmorton, stated, “In cooperation with local and state authorities, we are asking for your help locating our beloved JK Teacher Liza Fletcher. If you have seen Liza or have information about her location, call MPD at 901-528-CASH (2274), 901-545- COPS (2677), or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. For more information, follow the link below.”
It also said: “We join the Fletcher and Wellford families in praying for Liza’s safe return.” A FOX 13 report added that the school has “not told our younger students about Mrs. Fletcher. We are supporting the older students as they learn of this news.”
Reportedly, in 2021, St. Mary's Episcopal School praised Eliza in a Facebook post by writing, “She is a caring and passionate teacher who is always looking for creative ways to teach to all learners. She knows each student individually and does whatever she can to excite them for learning. You will always find her celebrating big and small successes in the classroom.”
Eliza is said to be the granddaughter of late Joseph "Joe" Orgill III, a hardware magnate who owned Orgill Inc. He died in 2018. Earlier this year, she went to see the Orgill trade show in Orlando, Florida. She shared about it on her Instagram page too. The The Daily Mail has reported that she is an alumnus of Hutchison School in Memphis and attended Baylor University to get a degree in exercise and sports science. Eliza also has a master’s degree in teaching from Belmont University. The report described her as “a seasoned runner who qualified for the Boston Marathon. In 2019, Fletcher finished the St. Jude marathon at time of three hours and 26 minutes and finishing 22nd overall.”
Nothing substantial has been released by authorities yet in Eliza’s case but cops have said that the abductor is a male. Also, in a social media post, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation stated the woman is “5’6”, 137 lbs., with brown hair, and green eyes. She was wearing a pink jogging top and purple running shorts. If you have seen Eliza or this vehicle or have information about their location, call MPD at 901-528-CASH (2274), 901-545- COPS (2677), or TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.”