The suspect accused of kidnapping and killing a Memphis mother of two is now facing new charges unrelated to Eliza Fletcher’s kidnapping. Cleotha Henderson, 38, who is charged with first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping of Fletcher, is now charged with an additional count of kidnapping and rape. A Memphis Police Department Public Information Officer told Fox News Digital that the new kidnapping and aggravated rape charges are “not related” to the crimes Henderson allegedly committed against Fletcher, but said he had no additional information to share. Henderson is also charged with unlawfully carrying or possessing a weapon. A grand jury indicted him on the additional charges Thursday, according to court records. ELIZA FLETCHER’S SUSPECTED KILLER CLEOTHA HENDERSON SERVED 20 YEARS OF CRIMINAL 24-YEAR-OLD, HERE’S WHY Left: Eliza Fletcher in a photo released by Memphis police. Right: Cleotha Abston appears in court for her arraignment Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. (Memphis Police Department, Adam Sabes/Fox News Digital) (Memphis Police Department, Adam Sabes/Fox News Digital) Fletcher was allegedly abducted by Henderson, who was driving a GMC Terrain, at 4:20 a.m. on the morning of September 2nd. Police say he was “kidnapped and forced into” the dark-colored GMC Terrain. Police say a surveillance camera captured the same GMC Terrain in the area of the abduction 24 minutes before Fletcher was arrested. Henderson was taken into custody by law enforcement officials on Saturday morning but refused to tell officers where Fletcher was, prompting a massive search operation for the missing mother of two. ELIZA FLETCHER KIDNAPPING: A TIMELINE OF THE MEMPHIS TEACHER’S DISAPPEARANCE According to an affidavit, two people, including Abston’s brother Mario, told officers they saw Henderson cleaning the interior of the GMC Terrain with floor cleaner and washing clothes in the sink. Police also say Fletcher “suffered serious injury” and “left evidence, e.g. blood, in the vehicle that the defendant cleaned”. Memphis police officials announced Tuesday that Fletcher’s body was found around 5:07 p.m. on Monday to “behind a vacant two-story apartment,” around the area where Henderson was allegedly seen cleaning the GMC Terrain. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Officials have not released the location or manner of Fletcher’s death, saying it is too early in the investigation, and have also not released a motive. Henderson is being held without bond at a Memphis jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 19. He now faces two counts of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated rape, two counts of theft, first-degree murder, unlawful transportation or possession of a weapon, identity theft, tampering with evidence and fraudulent use of a credit/debit card. Fox News’ Michael Ruiz, Stephanie Pagones and Audrey Conklin contributed to this report. Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @asabes10.
