Police Release New Video Showing Missing Woman Walking Away From Gym

Police in South Carolina have issued new visual evidence and details regarding the disappearance of Elena Katherine Moore, 39, who vanished last week in Lexington, a suburb west of Columbia. According to the Lexington Police Department, Moore was last confirmed to be present after checking in at a local Planet Fitness around 6:40 p.m. on Thursday evening. Subsequent surveillance indicates she was observed walking away from the gym toward a wooded area situated behind a nearby Lowe's Home Improvement store.

Newly acquired video footage, released by authorities on Tuesday afternoon, captures Moore navigating the Publix parking lot located at 100 Old Cherokee Road on Thursday. The recording shows her heading toward Old Cherokee Road at 9:17 p.m., dressed in an olive-green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants—the same attire she wore when leaving the gym. She was officially reported missing the following day. To encourage public recognition, investigators have released additional photographs, including images captured on a front door camera from a week prior to her disappearance.

Moore, who works as a personal trainer, is described by law enforcement as having a sudden absence that is "very out of character." Lauren Beasley, a friend of the missing woman, told Fox News Digital that her last conversation with Moore occurred a month ago, noting that the victim appeared completely normal at the time. Beasley recalled that Moore did not discuss personal matters, despite having married the previous year. "She did not say anything personal about anything she was going through... She didn't say anything about her relationship or work or anything personal," Beasley stated. This behavioral shift is underscored by Moore's cessation of social media activity for approximately a month, a stark contrast to her usual online presence. Moore's husband, Brannon Slice, commented on a now-deleted Facebook post simply stating that his wife is "not well."

Investigative efforts have intensified with the deployment of a drone and a preliminary search of the area where Moore was last seen, which yielded no results. On Monday, Lexington police coordinated with multiple local and state agencies to conduct a more extensive search of the wooded areas behind the Lowe's store and Planet Fitness. The operation involved the Lexington County Sheriff's Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Department of Natural Resources, and other emergency response teams. Police clarified that this operation was not a recovery mission but a methodical effort to eliminate a potential location. Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green confirmed in an update that "no trace of Ms. Moore was found during the operation."

Public Information Officer Missy Silcox addressed concerns regarding foul play, stating that it is not suspected and that no specific searches were planned for Tuesday. While the focus remains on locating Moore, the situation underscores the risks associated with individuals vanishing without a trace. Moore is a White female, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Investigators are currently uncertain whether she is in possession of her cellphone. Authorities urge anyone with information regarding Moore's whereabouts to contact detectives at 803-358-7271 or Midlands Crimestoppers.