LEXINGTON, SC – Authorities confirmed Friday that a body discovered earlier this week in Lexington County belongs to Elena Katherine Moore, a 39-year-old local fitness trainer who went missing on June 11.
The Discovery and Identification
The Lexington County Coroner’s Office stated that the body of a white female was found on June 17 in a wooded area near Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive. Investigators were led to the location by a tip.
Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green previously noted that the body was found wearing a green outfit identical to the clothing Moore was seen wearing in surveillance footage the night she vanished. Moore was last spotted walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road after leaving the Planet Fitness on Whiteford Way.
Autopsy Scheduled in Charleston
In a notable procedural move, the autopsy will not be conducted locally. Moore’s body is being transported to the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, where a forensic autopsy is scheduled for Saturday.
Officials expect to release preliminary information regarding the cause and manner of death on Monday, June 22. However, authorities cautioned that a final determination is a thorough process that could take several weeks.
Unusual Behavior Before Disappearance
Moore’s disappearance had already drawn widespread local attention after friends reported she had been acting strangely.
Close friends revealed that Moore had been unusually inactive on social media for about a month before vanishing. According to statements given to media outlets, Moore had recently expressed explicit fear, telling a friend she was “scared for her life” and wanted to discuss the matter privately.
Investigation Handed to State Authorities
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has officially taken the lead on this investigation. No further details are being released at this time to protect the integrity of the ongoing case.
The Lexington County Coroner’s Office extended deep condolences to Moore’s family and community. Anyone with information relevant to Moore’s disappearance or the events leading up to it is strongly urged to contact SLED directly.
