Search Intensifies for Missing South Carolina Woman
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has joined the ongoing search for a missing woman in the state after authorities found a body in a wooded area where she was last spotted. This discovery followed a week-long effort to locate 39-year-old Elena Katherine Moore, a personal trainer who disappeared after leaving a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington last Thursday night.
According to the Lexington Police Department (LPD), the body found has yet to be formally identified but matches the clothing description of the missing woman. As a result, the case has been classified as an active death investigation, with SLED assisting in identifying the remains and determining the cause of death.
LPD Chief Terrence Green mentioned that investigators were able to locate the body after receiving a tip from the public during their focused search efforts. He provided an update, stating, “At approximately 2:48 p.m., we located an unidentified body matching the clothing description of the missing person. The coroner’s confirmation is still pending.”
Reportedly, the deceased was wearing “similar green clothing,” aligning with what Moore was seen in on surveillance footage the night before her disappearance. Authorities are waiting for formal identification and an autopsy by the Lexington County Coroner’s Office, which will take some time.
“Regarding the body found in the area of Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive in Lexington, Coroner Margaret Fisher was able to identify the remains of a woman matching the clothing description of the missing person, Elena K. Moore,” the department shared. They added that no positive identification has been made yet, and further information will be released only after confirming her identity. The cause of death remains undetermined at this time.
When asked about potential foul play, police stated that the investigation is still active, and they are collaborating with SLED to explore all possibilities.
Moore was reported missing last Friday, leading to a large-scale search involving multiple agencies and drone reconnaissance. Her last confirmed sighting was captured on surveillance video as she walked through a Publix parking lot. In that footage, she wore an olive green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants—what she also had on when she left the gym.
Interestingly, before her disappearance, authorities noted that Moore exhibited some unusual behaviors, including sudden absences and changes in her social media activity.
