On Friday Morning, 34-year-old Eliza Fletcher started her day off with a jog in the early hours through Memphis, Tennessee. She was a wife, mother of 2, and kindergarten teacher. When she did not return home before work, her worried husband called the police, and it was not good news when someone found her phone on the street. Surveillance video showed a man forcing Eliza into his SUV. Immediate panic spread throughout Memphis and ultimately the entire country. Authorities didn’t know if they were looking for a body dead or alive.
A man was charged with abduction and tampering with evidence on Sunday morning. After a long and arduous search, Eliza’s body was found on Monday just 7 miles from where she was abducted into the car. This news was heartbreaking to her family, friends, and everyone across the country. She was a completely innocent woman robbed of her life. The main suspect was also charged with first degree murder and first-degree murder in the perpetration of kidnapping. If convicted, he faces life in prison and even the possibility of the death penalty.
When Eliza first went missing, many people felt very strongly about the situation’s circumstances. Most criticized her for being alone in the dark at that hour. They blamed her that she put herself in a vulnerable spot. News reports stated how unsafe running alone can be, stressed the importance of being aware of your surroundings, and encouraged runners to always run with a group. This case has brought attention to the dangers that women often put themselves in and started a conversation on how these tragedies can be prevented.
The thing that hasn’t been too talked about is the issue of perpetrators. There is a significant problem with the immediate response to Eliza’s disappearance. The more critical issue at hand is criminal men who prey on women. The media should be ridiculing Eliza’s killer and discussing the homicide rates of men killing women worldwide.
Being a mother, wife, and teacher, Eliza had plenty on her plate. There was likely no other time in the day for her to take time to herself to work out. Running is a source of therapy and a way to clear the mind. She should have never had to worry about being a victim of absolutely anything, but her life was taken from her by a complete stranger. He is the only one to blame in this case. Eliza’s fate is not rare. This story has happened an endless number of times before. She represents billions of other women across the world.
As a society, there needs to be a shift in holding accountability in situations like these. No one, especially women like Eliza, should ever have to fear being killed while going through their daily routines. Women have to be much more cautious than men do in everything they do. They shouldn’t have to, but they do. Our culture needs to prioritize ending the violence against women. Eliza Fletcher could have easily been your mother, sister, best friend, or even you.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/body-missing-jogger-eliza-fletcher-identified-rcna46392
https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/06/us/memphis-missing-teacher-tuesday/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/08/us/memphis-teacher-eliza-fletcher-killed-thursday/index.html
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