Authorities confirmed that South Carolina personal trainer Elena Katherine Moore, missing since last Thursday, has been identified as dead. Her body was found on Wednesday, and officials say an autopsy is scheduled for Saturday with the cause and manner of dea
A personal trainer in South Carolina who had been missing since last Thursday was confirmed dead Friday, after authorities identified a body found on Wednesday as Elena Katherine Moore.
Lexington officials said the body discovered earlier this week was officially identified as Moore. An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday, and authorities anticipate that the cause and manner of death will be released on Monday.
Police previously said the clothing on the body matched what Moore was wearing when she went missing. Even with that match, the coroner would need to formally identify the remains as her.
Moore, 39, had last been seen leaving Planet Fitness just after 9 PM, when she was seen wandering into a nearby wooded area. Authorities searched the area on foot and with a drone. The woman who vanished was wearing an olive-green zip-up hoodie with black athletic pants.
Police told ABC News that her behavior on the night she disappeared was “out of character for her.” Several surveillance footage screengrabs of Elena in the gym that night were released by police.
Her husband reported her missing last Friday. Police say Moore had her phone with her the night she disappeared, while officers were trying to track it. Authorities said they did not suspect foul play and do not believe she is in imminent danger, as WIS 10 reported.
Still, concern had been building long before the disappearance for at least one person close to her. Sondra Campbell, who says she was a longtime pal of Elena, told TMZ that they were at brunch on May 31 when Moore’s behavior raised red flags.
Campbell said Moore kept getting up from her seat and looking around and out the window as if she was keeping an eye out for someone. She described the behavior as “paranoid,” and she said she feared for Elena’s life.
Campbell also said Moore was a “strong-minded individual who lifts everyone around her” and would not simply up and leave home without a good reason. Campbell added that she is hoping Elena returns safely.
Now, authorities have confirmed that Moore has died.
Elena Katherine Moore South Carolina personal trainer missing person found dead Lexington officials autopsy Planet Fitness surveillance footage WIS 10 TMZ