Body found in South Carolina woods matches description of missing trainer

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division joined a death investigation in Lexington on Wednesday after authorities found a body in a wooded area where a missing woman was last seen nearly a week earlier.

The discovery followed a six-day search for Elena Katherine Moore, 39, a personal trainer who officials said disappeared Thursday evening after leaving a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington.

Lexington Police Department said the body has not been formally identified but fits the clothing description of the missing person. The case has been classified as an active death investigation, and SLED is assisting to determine the cause of death and confirm identity.

Chief Terrence Green said investigators located the body after a citizen tip led them to conduct a targeted search. "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," he said.

The body was wearing a similar green outfit consistent with what Moore wore on surveillance footage the night before she disappeared. Officials said they are still awaiting formal identification from the coroner.

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy will be scheduled in the coming days. "In reference to the body found in Lexington in the area of Old Cherokee Road and Northlake Drive. Coroner Margaret Fisher can confirm the body of a female matching the clothing description of the missing person, Elena K. Moore has been found," the office said in a statement. "No positive identification has been made as of this time. We will await positive identification before any further information is released. No cause of death has been determined."

When asked if foul play was suspected, police said it remains an active investigation and SLED is handling that part of the case.

Moore was reported missing last Friday. A large-scale search involving multiple agencies and a drone followed. She was last seen on surveillance footage walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road. In the video she wore an olive-green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants, the same outfit she had on when she left Planet Fitness.