Chicago, IL

Man charged in abduction of missing Memphis jogger Eliza Fletcher, police say

Published

2 years ago

September 4, 2022

Man charged in abduction of missing Memphis jogger Eliza Fletcher, police say

A person has been arrested in reference to the kidnapping of a Memphis girl who by no means returned from her early morning jog, police mentioned.

The Memphis Police Division introduced through Twitter early Sunday that 38-year-old Cleotha Abston has been charged with particularly aggravated kidnapping and tampering with proof.

Police mentioned they detained Abston on Saturday night after he was discovered inside an SUV that authorities have been trying to find in reference to the kidnapping. A public info officer instructed ABC Information that they may not share the place the car of curiosity was positioned at the moment.

A second particular person, recognized as 36-year-old Mario Abston, who’s at the moment not believed to be linked to the kidnapping, was additionally arrested on drug and firearm prices, in response to police.

Police mentioned Eliza Fletcher, 34, stays lacking and that they, together with their native and federal companions, proceed to seek for her. The investigation into her abduction is “energetic and ongoing,” police mentioned.

Fletcher was final seen jogging within the space of Central Avenue and Zach Curlin Road in midtown Memphis, close to the College of Memphis campus in southwest Tennessee, on Friday morning at roughly 4:20 a.m. native time, earlier than she was approached by an unknown particular person and compelled right into a dark-colored GMC Terrain, in response to police. The SUV — which authorities named a car of curiosity — took off, touring westbound on Central Avenue, police mentioned.

Fletcher was sporting a pink jogging prime and purple working shorts on the time of her abduction. She has brown hair and inexperienced eyes, weighs 137 kilos and is 5 ft, 6 inches tall, in response to police.

St. Mary’s Episcopal Faculty in Memphis mentioned in an announcement on social media that Fletcher is a “beloved” junior kindergarten trainer on the all-girls prep college.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation mentioned it’s helping the Memphis Police Division within the seek for Fletcher.

Fletcher’s household launched a video assertion via the Memphis Police Division on Saturday, pleading for her protected return.

“We need to begin by thanking everybody for his or her prayers and outpouring of assist,” Fletcher’s uncle, Mike Keeney, mentioned within the video whereas surrounded by members of their household, together with Fletcher’s mother and father, brother and husband.

“Liza has touched the hearts of many individuals and it reveals,” he added.

The household urged anybody with info on the case to contact authorities. They’re providing a $50,000 reward for info that results in Fletcher’s protected return.

“Greater than something, we need to see Liza returned residence safely,” Keeney mentioned. “We imagine somebody is aware of what occurred and can assist.”

Anybody with info on Fletcher’s whereabouts is requested to name the Memphis Police Division at both 901-528-2274 or 901-545-2677, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND, or to dial 911.

ABC Information’ Alexandra Faul and Ahmad Hemingway contributed to this report.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.