Lexington police confirmed Friday that a body recovered Wednesday in a wooded area is that of 39-year-old personal trainer Elena Katherine Moore, bringing a grim end to the search that began after she vanished earlier in the week. The remains were found in a patch of woods near Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive, about a mile from where Moore was last seen leaving a Planet Fitness.
Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher confirmed Moore’s identity and said an autopsy is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Medical University of South Carolina, according to WACH. Fisher’s office extended condolences to Moore’s family and said more details about the cause and manner of death are expected next week.
How the Body Was Located
Officials said searchers found the body at about 2:48 p.m. Wednesday after a citizen tip directed them to the wooded area. The clothing on the body matched the outfit seen on surveillance video, Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green said at a news briefing, according to NBC News. Lexington police have asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to take over the death investigation, and officials have declined to say whether they suspect foul play while SLED reviews the case.
Timeline and Last Sightings
Investigators say Moore signed in at the Planet Fitness at 560 Whiteford Way on June 11 at about 6:40 p.m. Later that night, surveillance footage shows her walking through a Publix parking lot at roughly 9:17 p.m., heading toward Old Cherokee Road, according to WIS. The Town of Lexington’s news release notes that officers and volunteers searched the woods behind the Lowe’s near the gym multiple times, used drones to canvas the area from above, and coordinated teams on the ground. The release also lists contact information for detectives assigned to the case.
What Officials Are Asking
Police and the coroner’s office are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Santoro at 803-358-7271 or submit tips to Midlands Crime Stoppers; the Town of Lexington’s announcement shares the same contact details, according to the Town of Lexington. Authorities stressed that confirming both identification and cause of death will take time and asked the public for patience while forensic work is completed.
Investigation Next Steps
State agents with SLED will lead the death investigation while the autopsy and additional forensic tests move forward, and officials said they will release more information after results are available, per WACH. For now, authorities have secured the scene and asked both the public and media to route investigative questions to SLED.
Community Reaction
Neighbors and friends who had gathered near the search area described a mix of shock and grief after the discovery. One local resident told The State the situation felt “very scary” in a town many consider safe. The Lexington County Coroner’s Office again offered condolences to Moore’s family as the community waits on autopsy findings and the official ruling on how she died.
