Billionaire Heiress Eliza Fletcher's Body Found 3 Miles From Home; Family 'Heartbroken And Devastated'

Police have confirmed that the body found in southern Memphis, Tennessee, is that of the missing Eliza Fletcher. The family of the billionaire heiress and mother-of-two was devastated by the "senseless loss," they shared in a statement.

The Memphis Police found an unidentified body Monday, just three miles from Fletcher's home. The location was about 20 minutes away from the spot where the 34-year-old teacher was violently abducted.

Investigators confirmed Tuesday that the body found was that of Fletcher, WREG reported.

"We are heartbroken and devastated by this senseless loss. Liza was such a joy to so many – her family, friends, colleagues, students, parents, members of her Second Presbyterian Church congregation, and everyone who knew her," the family said, after the police confirmed the identity of the body.

"Now it's time to remember and celebrate how special she was and to support those who cared so much for her," the family added.

Fletcher was the heir to a private hardware company called Orgill Inc., which has a revenue of $3.2 billion. Founded by her grandfather, Joseph Orgill III, it is now the 143rd largest private company in the U.S, according to Forbes.

"We appreciate all the expressions of love and concern we have received," the family continued in their statement. "We are grateful beyond measure to local, state and federal law enforcement for their tireless efforts to find Liza and to bring justice to the person responsible for this horrible crime."

The suspect, Cleotha Abston, was accused of kidnapping Fletcher during her early-morning jog on Aug. 2, and was arrested Saturday, according to the New York Post. He now also faces first-degree murder and first-degree murder in perpetration of kidnapping.

Fletcher was abducted about five miles east of her home in the tony Central Gardens neighborhood. Her remains were found close to the spot where witnesses saw Abston cleaning out a GMC Terrain, similar to the kind used in Fletcher's abduction.

The discovery of Fletcher's body was the result of a search that spanned multiple days. The search and rescue team noticed a pungent smell on Victor Street in southern Memphis on Monday.

"The officers noticed vehicle tracks in the grass ... and the officers smelled an odor of decay," said an affidavit obtained by the New York Post.

The smell led the team to find "an unresponsive female lying on the ground."

A trash bag was found with "purple Lululemon running shorts" inside, similar to the kind Fletcher was wearing when she was last seen.

Abston previously spent nearly 20 years in jail for kidnapping Memphis-based prosecutor Kemper Durand at gunpoint. He was only 16 years old at the time of Durand's abduction in May 2000.