Body Found in Search for Missing SC Trainer Elena Moore

Authorities in Lexington, South Carolina have found a body matching the description of missing personal trainer Elena Katherine Moore, 39. According to multiple reports, the unidentified body was discovered Wednesday afternoon following a tip from the public.

The Lexington Police Department announced that the body fits the clothing description of Moore, who was last seen wearing an olive-green zip-up hoodie with black athletic pants. The search for Moore began after she was reported missing Friday, having been last seen Thursday evening walking toward a wooded area near Planet Fitness in Lexington.

Chief Terrence Green of the Lexington Police Department stated during a press conference that the body was found at about 2:48 p.m. EDT following a tip received from the public. The tip mentioned Moore being seen Thursday in the area of North Lake Drive and Old Cherokee Road between 4 and 6 p.m.

According to Fox News, weeks before her disappearance, Moore told her best friend she was 'scared for her life.' Sondra Campbell, who was close friends with Moore, shared that something felt 'very different' the last time she saw her on May 31. Campbell recalled Moore saying she wanted to discuss her fears in private and found it unusual that Moore would be walking alone at night.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has joined the investigation. The case is classified as an active death investigation, with SLED assisting in determining the cause of death and confirming the identity. Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher confirmed that a body matching Moore's clothing description was found but that no positive identification had been made.

The coroner's office stated that an autopsy will be scheduled in the coming days, emphasizing that the process will take time. Police have not yet determined if foul play is suspected and are awaiting further information before releasing any additional details. The search for Moore involved multiple agencies, including a drone search conducted on Friday and a more extensive search of wooded areas behind Lowe's store and Planet Fitness on Monday.

According to an exclusive report by Fox News, in the years before her disappearance, Moore told several friends that she wanted to leave her now-husband, Brannon Slice. Aston Jeffcoat, a close friend of Moore's, shared a Facebook Messenger screenshot with Fox News Digital from July 13, 2017, in which Moore said she wanted to move out and leave Slice. It is unclear why Moore wanted to end the relationship or move out.

Lauren Beasley, another friend of Moore's, told Fox News that Moore went through 'cycles' of wanting to move out and end the relationship but didn't. Campbell previously stated that Moore tried to leave the relationship in the past. As reported by Fox News, Lexington Police Department Inspector Missy Silcox told Newsweek late Tuesday that Slice 'is not a person of interest at the current moment.'

The body will be transferred to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston for an autopsy scheduled for Saturday. More information is expected on Monday.