Body of Missing Woman Elena K. Moore Identified in South Carolina
Discovery of Elena K. Moore's Body
Authorities have confirmed that a body found near Old Cherokee Road and North Lake Drive in South Carolina is that of the missing woman, Elena K. Moore. The Lexington County Coroner's Office has scheduled an autopsy for Saturday at 10:00 AM local time at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. More details regarding the cause and manner of death are anticipated to be disclosed on Monday.
Moore was reported missing on June 12. She was described as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing around 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Investigators noted that she frequently visited a Planet Fitness gym located at 560 Whiteford Way. It was determined that she checked into the gym at 6:40 PM on June 11. After her gym visit, she was seen walking towards a wooded area behind a Lowe's Home Improvement store, dressed in an olive-green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants.
Police released a photograph showing Moore inside the gym on the evening she was last seen. Following her disappearance, emergency crews conducted a search behind the Lowe's store, but Lexington police clarified that this was not a recovery operation, rather an effort to eliminate one potential location where she could be.
Missy Silcox, an investigator, stated that Moore's husband had reported her missing. Initially, police did not suspect foul play and believed she was not in immediate danger. It was also noted that Moore likely had her mobile phone with her, but it was not emitting a signal.
On June 11, the Lexington Police Department released surveillance footage showing Moore walking through the parking lot of a Publix supermarket at 100 Old Cherokee Road around 9:17 PM, wearing the same olive-green hoodie and black athletic pants. Additionally, images from a residential doorbell camera taken a week prior to her disappearance were also made public.
On Wednesday afternoon, a multi-agency search was initiated near Lakeside Middle School on Old Cherokee Road, leading to the closure of the road between North Lake Drive and Berkshire Drive. Later, Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green announced that a body matching Moore's clothing description was discovered around 2:48 PM local time. Authorities have since confirmed that the body is indeed that of Elena K. Moore, found approximately half a mile from the Publix supermarket where she was last seen on surveillance footage.