Eliza Fletcher was a Memphis teacher, heiress, and mother who was tragically killed in September 2022. She had a net worth of $50 million, inherited from her grandfather’s oil business. She was also a dedicated educator who taught junior kindergarten at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. In this article, we will explore her background, career, personal life, and social media presence.
Eliza Fletcher’s Background and Career
Early Life and Education
Eliza Fletcher was born on June 15, 1988, in Memphis, Tennessee. She was the only child of John and Elizabeth Fletcher, who were both lawyers. She grew up in a wealthy and influential family, as her grandfather was the founder of Fletcher Oil Company, one of the largest oil producers in the South.
Eliza attended St. Mary’s Episcopal School, an elite private school for girls, from kindergarten to 12th grade. She was a bright and popular student who excelled in academics, sports, and arts. She graduated as the valedictorian of her class in 2006.
Eliza then went to Vanderbilt University, where she majored in early childhood education. She graduated with honors in 2010 and received a master’s degree in education from Harvard University in 2012.
Career in Teaching
Eliza returned to Memphis after completing her education and joined St. Mary’s Episcopal School as a junior kindergarten teacher. She was passionate about teaching and loved working with young children. She was known for her creative and engaging lessons, her warm and caring personality, and her positive impact on her students.
Eliza also volunteered at various community organizations that supported education and literacy. She was a board member of Books from Birth, a nonprofit that provides free books to children from birth to age five. She also mentored aspiring teachers through Teach for America.
Family Wealth and Net Worth
Eliza inherited a large fortune from her grandfather, who passed away in 2018. He left his entire estate to his granddaughter, making her the sole owner of Fletcher Oil Company and other assets. According to Forbes, Eliza had a net worth of $50 million as of 2023.
Eliza was not interested in running the oil business and hired a professional team to manage it. She donated a significant portion of her income to various charitable causes, especially those related to education and the environment. She also lived a modest lifestyle and did not flaunt her wealth.
Eliza Fletcher’s Personal Life
Marriage and Children
Eliza married James Carter, a pediatrician, in 2014. They met at Vanderbilt University and dated for four years before tying the knot. They had two children: a son named Henry, born in 2016, and a daughter named Lucy, born in 2019.
Eliza and James were a happy and loving couple who shared many interests and values. They enjoyed traveling, hiking, reading, and spending time with their family and friends. They also supported each other’s careers and raised their children with love and care.
Tragic Kidnapping Case
On September 2, 2022, Eliza went for her usual morning run near the University of Memphis around 4 a.m. She never returned home. Her husband reported her missing later that day when he realized she did not show up for work.
The police launched a massive search operation and offered a $50,000 reward for any information leading to her whereabouts. Her family also pleaded for her safe return through the media.
On September 6, 2022, the police found Eliza’s body behind a vacant complex in South Memphis. She had been shot in the back of the head and suffered blunt force trauma. The police arrested Cleotha Henderson, a 38-year-old man with a prior kidnapping conviction, as the prime suspect in her murder.
According to the police, Henderson had randomly targeted Eliza while she was jogging and forced her into his SUV at gunpoint. He then drove her to an abandoned location where he killed her. The police tracked him down using surveillance footage, cell phone data, and witness statements.
Henderson has been charged with first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is awaiting trial.
Investigation and Updates
The investigation into Eliza’s kidnapping and murder is still ongoing. The police are trying to determine Henderson’s motive and whether he had any accomplices or prior victims. They are also looking into his criminal history, which includes a 2007 conviction for kidnapping and raping a woman in Arkansas.
Eliza’s family and friends are devastated by her loss and are seeking justice for her. They have set up a memorial fund in her name to support St. Mary’s Episcopal School and Books from Birth. They have also organized a tribute run to honor her memory and raise awareness about women’s safety.
Eliza’s funeral was held on September 11, 2022, at St. George’s Episcopal Church. Hundreds of people attended the service, including her students, colleagues, relatives, and acquaintances. She was remembered as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and teacher who touched many lives with her kindness and generosity.
Eliza Fletcher’s Social Media Presence
Overview of her Social Media Accounts
Eliza was active on various social media platforms, where she shared her personal and professional life with her followers. She had accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
On Facebook, she had over 5,000 friends and posted regularly about her family, work, hobbies, and opinions. She also joined several groups related to education, parenting, and social issues.
On Instagram, she had over 10,000 followers and posts photos and videos of her travels, adventures, children, and pets. She also used hashtags and stories to engage with her audience.
On Twitter, she had over 2,000 followers and tweets about current events, books, movies, and sports. She also followed celebrities, politicians, journalists, and influencers.
On LinkedIn, she had over 1,000 connections and updated her profile with her education and career achievements. She also endorsed and recommended other professionals in her field.
Public Perception and Media Coverage
Eliza was well-liked and respected by her social media followers, who admired her for her beauty, intelligence, charisma, and compassion. She received many positive comments and reactions to her posts and interacted with her fans in a friendly and respectful manner.
Eliza also received a lot of media attention after her disappearance and death. Her story was covered by local and national news outlets, such as CNN, Fox News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Her case also sparked a public outcry over the issue of violence against women and the need for better security measures.
Eliza’s social media accounts have been flooded with messages of condolence, support, and tribute from her followers and strangers alike. Many people have expressed their sorrow, anger, shock, and disbelief over her tragic fate. They have also praised her for her courage, grace, and legacy.
