It's been two years since the death of Eliza Fletcher. Here is how the Mid-South is remembering her
The Memphis mother was kidnapped and later murdered while out on her morning run on Sep. 2, 2022. Her body was recovered a few days later.
Sep. 2nd will always be a day seared into the memory of Memphians.
Eliza Fletcher was running on the University of Memphis campus when Memphis Police said she was forced into a vehicle after a struggle at roughly 4 a.m. Sept. 2, 2022. Investigators said her body was found Sept. 5 behind a vacant home after a massive search lasting more than three days.
Now, each year many gather to remember the beloved teacher, and they are finding ways to honor her memory.
Liza's Library
“Liza was always full of life," said Catherine Denman, St. Mary’s Episcopal School Director of Libraries, “You were always smiling when you were playing with Liza.”
Denman was one of Fletcher's childhood classmates at St. Mary's Episcopal School, before they both became educators there. Denman remembered the time with Fletcher fondly, and said the same energy Fletcher had, only continued to grow.
“Liza was always open with her struggles to read as a young child, so I think that inspired her to really help other children with the same difficulty,” said Denman.
In the coming year, this effort will have a new tool, and the Memphian's memory will be memorialized. As part of the larger preservation project for Moss Hall, Liza's Library will be dedicated to the former teacher. When students enter, they will be greeted by a tree, just as the case with Fletcher's classroom.
“What's interesting is Liza Fletcher's childhood home was within the bounds of what is now our campus. She grew up here, and now there’s going to be a permanent home where we remember her,” said Albert Throckmorton, Head of St. Mary’s Episcopal School.
Finish Liza's Run
The series of events that led to Fletcher's death struck a chord in the running community throughout Memphis and the world. Several people were looking to find ways to honor Fletcher. One of them was Danielle Heineman.
In 2022, Heineman posted on Facebook “Let’s Finish Liza’s Run,” and only intended to get a few friends to run and finish Eliza's route, but eventually the post spread like wildfire. This year on August 30, the community showed up again to finish the route Fletcher never got the chance to.
“A devoted mother and wife, a beloved daughter," Charlie Hayden said before runners took off. "She is the reason we’re here.”
The run has become a chance for the Bluff city to come together in solidarity in remembrance of Fletcher. Runners were led by members of the cycling group that Fletcher's husband was a part of.
“We’re going to do what we can to finish her run, carry her torch, and make this city a little bit brighter,” Hayden said.
This year the Race Roster shows more than 700 people registered for the run. For some runners like EC Taylor and Anika Gaska, this was their first time.
“For me it was all about supporting the community and the community of runners, and making sure everyone is able to run safely in the morning,” Gaska said.
Although many attendees did not personally know Fletcher, they gathered in support of someone who was part of their community.
“It’s really awesome to see the Memphis community come out and support this cause. I mean the fact that this is her normal route, it’s just crazy to think that this could happen to anybody,” Taylor said.
Liza Wellford Fletcher Stadium
The moments Fletcher spent at the University of Memphis will continue to be remembered by former teammates, and future student athletes to come.
Loved ones organized the Liza’s Light University of Memphis Soccer and Track Stadium Fund to support a new project, aiming to build a new soccer and track stadium. The first phase of the project aims to secure $7 million for top-tier features, which include a grandstand, press box and locker rooms.
Phases Two and Three will see the completion of the men's soccer locker room and the track and field team area, allowing more than 100 student-athletes to access to premiere facilities.
"This project is so much bigger than our women's soccer program. It's so much bigger than sports altogether. It's truly about a wonderful young lady who was taken from us way too early and honoring her and what she stood for," said Brooks Monaghan, Head Women's Soccer Coach, U of M, and Fletcher's former coach.