Full Breakdown
Lexington Police Find Body Matching Missing Personal Trainer Elena Katherine Moore
6/18/2026, 12:18:59 PM
Incident Overview
On June 17, 2026, Lexington Police Department (LPD) officers discovered an unidentified body in a wooded area near North Lake Drive and Old Cherokee Road, Lexington, South Carolina. The clothing—a olive-green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants—matched the description of 39-year-old personal trainer Elena Katherine Moore, who vanished after leaving Planet Fitness at 560 Whiteford Way on the evening of June 11. Chief Terrence Green confirmed the find and said the Lexington County Coroner’s Office is working to confirm identity while the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) leads a death investigation.
Background & Context
Elena Katherine Moore worked as a personal trainer at Wolf’s Fitness Center and was a regular at the nearby Planet Fitness. Surveillance footage captured her signing in at 6:40 p.m. on June 11 and later walking through a Publix parking lot at 9:17 p.m., heading toward Old Cherokee Road. Her husband, Brannon Slice, reported her missing on June 12. The search mobilized multiple local agencies, including the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, fire services, EMS, communications, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the Highway Patrol.
Timeline
- June 11, 2026 – Moore last seen leaving Planet Fitness; video shows her walking toward Publix.
- June 12 – Missing report filed by husband Brannon Slice.
- June 13-16 – LPD conducts searches, deploys drones, and solicits public tips; hundreds of leads received.
- June 17, 2026, 1:30 p.m. – Officers begin extensive search of woods near Old Cherokee Road.
- June 17, 2026, 2:48 p.m. – Body found matching Moore’s clothing description.
- June 17 onward – Coroner identification pending; SLED investigation ongoing.
Data & Statistics
- Agencies involved: LPD, Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, fire services, EMS, communications, SLED, South Carolina Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, Department of Natural Resources, Highway Patrol.
- Public response: Hundreds of tips submitted after media releases; a $1,500 reward offered by Dukes Investigations & Consulting.
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Terrence Green briefed the community, stating the body’s attire aligns with Moore’s known clothing and that the coroner will confirm identity. Inspector Missy Silcox emphasized that investigators have no indication of foul play and do not consider Moore’s husband a person of interest. The LPD thanked media partners for disseminating information, which they said generated numerous leads. SLED confirmed it will lead the death investigation and will release further details as they become available.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree the discovered body matches Moore’s description, but identity and cause of death remain unverified. No agency has publicly disclosed forensic findings, and the timeline for an autopsy has not been disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “that fits the clothing description of our missing person,” — Chief Terrence Green, Lexington Police Department
- “Chief Green would also like to thank our numerous media partners for consistently and aggressively disseminating the information provided to them,” — Lexington Police Department statement
- “You don’t just find people in the woods here. It’s a safe town, safe place. It’s very scary--how did she get there?” — Adriene Massey, Lexington resident
- “Mr. Slice is not a person of interest at the current moment.” — Inspector Missy Silcox, Lexington Police Department
- “We just don’t know the circumstances.” — Harry Dukes, Dukes Investigations & Consulting
What’s Next
The Lexington County Coroner’s Office will conduct an autopsy and release identification results. SLED’s death investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the discovery, and authorities continue to request information from the public. The reward offered by Dukes Investigations remains in effect pending new leads.
