Fitness Trainer Feared for Life Weeks Before Body Found
Weeks before a body matching her description was discovered, a missing South Carolina fitness trainer expressed extreme fear for her safety to her closest friend. The individual, believed to be 39-year-old Elena Katherine Moore, was found deceased on Wednesday afternoon in Lexington, South Carolina, following her disappearance on June 11. She was last seen leaving a Planet Fitness gym in the same area.
While formal identification is pending, authorities have indicated that the discovered remains align with the clothing description of the missing person. Sondra Campbell, a close confidante of Moore, shared that a significant shift in her friend’s demeanor was palpable during their last encounter on May 31.
A Friend’s Grave Concern
“She was scared for her life. She actually said those words to me,” Campbell recounted, her voice heavy with emotion. “Elena is one of my best friends. I’ve known her for over ten years. We’re incredibly close and share everything. She’s been that person for me for a long time.”
When questioned about the source of her distress, Moore indicated a need for privacy, suggesting that too many people were present for her to speak freely. “I can’t talk to you right now. There’s too many people around. She’s like, but we’ve got to talk one-on-one,” Campbell recalled Moore saying.
Campbell further noted that she missed a call from Moore on June 4 and received no response to subsequent calls and texts. She emphasized that Moore’s behavior, particularly being alone and walking at night, is entirely out of character.
“Elena was such a good person, and I think we’re all just trying to process this, but my friend would not be alone walking at nighttime. She just wouldn’t be; it’s not her,” Campbell stated emphatically.
Investigation Underway
Following the discovery of the body, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has taken over the investigation to determine the official cause of death.
According to Lexington Police Department Chief Terrence Green, investigators located the body on Wednesday after a tip directed them to a new search area. “At approximately 2:48 p.m., we found an unidentified body that fits the clothing description of our missing person. We are still waiting on the coroner to identify her,” Chief Green confirmed.
Green added that the body was attired in a “similar green outfit” consistent with what Moore was wearing when last seen on security footage. A formal identification will be released by the coroner’s office.
Final Sighting and Social Media Silence
Moore was last observed walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road in Lexington on the evening of June 11. Prior to her disappearance, her social media activity had ceased for approximately a month, a departure from her usual online presence, according to friend Lauren Beasley.
“She is very active on social media, so her going radio silent for the last month is out of character,” Beasley commented.
