Tragic Discovery: Body Found in Woods as Search Ends for Missing South Carolina Personal Trainer Elena Moore, 39 – ‘Completely Out of Character’
Authorities have not yet formally identified the body and are awaiting confirmation from the coroner.
The grim discovery comes after a week-long search for Moore, who was last seen leaving Planet Fitness in Lexington at 9:17 p.m. on June 11.
Surveillance footage captured the personal trainer walking toward a wooded area behind a nearby Lowe’s Home Improvement store. At the time, she was wearing an olive-green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants.
According to Fox 8, police recovered a body wearing clothing that matched that description. Authorities have not yet disclosed where or when the body was found.
Investigators expanded their search on Wednesday to a wooded area near Lakeside Middle School, approximately one mile from the gym, according to The State.
Moore’s husband, Brannon Slice, reported her missing the day after she disappeared. He described her disappearance as “very out of character” for his wife of one year.
The development comes after disturbing footage surfaced showing Moore apparently acting confused in the days leading up to her disappearance.
Ring camera footage obtained by NewsNation showed the fitness instructor wandering through an apartment complex, handling food deliveries and looking through packages left outside residents’ homes.
One homeowner told the outlet that Moore appeared “disoriented about where she was or whatever she was doing.”
The homeowner’s partner later observed her going through a neighbor’s packages. When questioned, Moore reportedly admitted that she did not know what she was doing.
The couple said they later provided the footage to police.
Additional video obtained by The U.S. Sun appeared to show Moore taking a DoorDash order from a delivery driver before delivering it herself to a resident’s door.
Neighbor Sarah Burleson said Moore seemed “confused” during the encounter.
“Something seemed very off and I really hope she turns up safe and sound,” Burleson told The U.S. Sun.
“For the past week we thought it was a crazy DoorDash experience.
“We have it set for no-contact delivery, so the food is supposed to be left at the door, a photo taken, and then the driver leaves.
“When the Ring camera went off twice, my partner answered the door while I checked the live feed and watched the interaction.
“At first, we didn’t even realize that the white woman was not our DoorDash driver.”
Friends had also expressed concern about Moore’s recent behavior.
Lauren Beasley told Fox News that Moore, who is typically very active online, had largely disappeared from her social media accounts in recent weeks.
“She is very active on social media, so her going silent for the last month is out of character,” Beasley said.
Beasley, who had not spoken with Moore for about a month, added that Moore appeared normal during their last interactions.
“She did not mention anything personal that she was going through. She got married last year, but she never spoke about problems in her relationship, work, or any other personal matters,” Beasley told Fox News.
Police previously said they were attempting to track Moore’s cellphone, although it remained unclear whether she still had the device with her.
Before the body was discovered, investigators stated that they did not believe Moore was in immediate danger and had found no evidence of foul play, according to WIS News 10.
The case remains under active investigation as authorities await formal identification of the body.
