The Memphis Police Department investigated the alleged killer of Eliza Fletcher for a separate crime — a reported rape — last year but failed to arrest him despite strong evidence of his guilt, according to two people familiar with the investigation.
A woman told police in September 2021 that Cleotha Abston (who is also known by the last name Henderson) had abducted and raped her at gunpoint, yet Abston, who was released from prison in November 2020 for another kidnapping 20 years earlier, remained free until he was arrested last week for Fletcher’s murder.
It was not clear late Friday precisely why police had failed to arrest and charge Abston last year. One person familiar with the case said police even had a DNA match from the state crime lab. Another stated flatly, “They have a good case.”
A spokesperson for MPD could not be reached late Friday.
One person familiar with the investigation said a 2021 rape victim provided police with Cleotha Abston’s phone number, his social media handle, his home address and a description of his car.
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