 |
| A body matching missing woman Elena Katherine Moore's clothing description was found during a search in Lexington, South Carolina. |
A body matching the clothing description of missing 39-year-old personal trainer Elena Katherine Moore was found Wednesday afternoon in a wooded area in Lexington, South Carolina. Authorities located the body during a search near Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive, less than a week after Moore was reported missing.
Missing Woman Last Seen After Leaving Gym
Moore was reported missing by her husband on June 12 after family and friends were unable to reach her.
According to investigators, surveillance footage showed Moore signing into a Planet Fitness gym at approximately 6:40 p.m. on June 11. Additional video later captured her walking away from the gym toward a wooded area behind a nearby Lowe's Home Improvement store.
Police said her last known sighting occurred at 9:17 p.m. when she was seen walking through a Publix parking lot toward Old Cherokee Road.
Community Tip Leads Search Teams to Wooded Area
Lexington Police received a tip from a community member around 1 p.m. Wednesday following extensive media coverage of the case.
Officers, firefighters, and search personnel responded to the area near Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive and began searching the wooded terrain.
Authorities located an unidentified female body shortly before 3 p.m.
Clothing Matches Description Provided by Investigators
Police said the body was wearing clothing matching the description Moore was last seen wearing.
Investigators previously stated that Moore was wearing an olive-green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants when she disappeared.
Officials have not yet released a formal identification pending notification procedures and forensic examination.
Death Investigation Underway
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has joined the investigation.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the identity of the deceased woman as well as the cause and manner of death.
Authorities have not announced whether foul play is suspected.
Comments