Accused killer of Eliza Fletcher faces ‘unrelated’ kidnapping and rape charges

Cleotha Henderson indicted on unrelated charges of kidnapping and rape, Memphis police say

The man charged with the murder of Eliza Fletcher is facing unrelated kidnapping and rape charges, Memphis police say.

Cleotha Henderson, 38, who was arraigned on charges of first degree murder and especially aggravated kidnapping of Fletcher, has been charged with separate counts of aggravated kidnapping and rape, a police spokesperson told The Independent.

Henderson is also facing charges of unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon and was indicted by a grand jury on the new charges on Thursday, police said.

He is accused of abducting Fletcher while she was jogging at about 4.20am near the University of Memphis on 2 September.

Surveillance footage allegedly showed Henderson violently force the married mother of two into a dark GMC Terrain.

Eliza Fletcher was snatched while jogging in the early hours of Friday morning (Family handout)

He was arrested the next day by US Marshals and refused to give police any information about Fletcher’s whereabouts, as law enforcement mounted a city-wide search.

DNA from a pair of Champion slide sandals recovered from the scene of the kidnapping were matched to Henderson, according to the police affidavit.

Her remains were found outside a vacant duplex on Monday afternoon.

Investigators have described her murder as an “isolated attack by a stranger”.

On Friday, thousands of women took part in events across America to complete the run that Fletcher started.

Funeral services for Fletcher are due to take place on Saturday.