NEWYou can now listen to articles!
EXCLUSIVE: In the years before a missing South Carolina fitness trainer was found dead this week, she told several of her friends that she wanted to leave her now-husband and end the relationship.
Elena Katherine Moore, 39, was found dead Wednesday afternoon in Lexington, South Carolina, the Lexington County Coroner’s Office confirmed Friday after making a positive identification. Moore was last seen leaving a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington on June 11. The body will be transferred to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, who will conduct the autopsy Saturday.
More information is expected on Monday.
Aston Jeffcoat, a close friend of Moore’s, shared a Facebook Messenger screenshot with Digital from July 13, 2017, in which Moore said she wanted to move out and leave Brannon Slice, who is now her husband.
BODY FOUND IN SOUTH CAROLINA ID’D AS MISSING FITNESS TRAINER WHO TOLD FRIEND SHE WAS ‘SCARED FOR HER LIFE’
Elena Moore and her husband, Brannon Slice. (Facebook/Elena Moore)
“Hey girl not sure about ur situation …but just from reading ur post i might be ending my almost 5 year relationship as well and might be looking for a roommate!! Let me know!” Moore wrote.
SOUTH CAROLINA PERSONAL TRAINER GOES MISSING, LAST SPOTTED WALKING TOWARD WOODED AREA
It’s unclear why Moore wanted to end the relationship or move out. No one, including her husband, has been accused of any wrongdoing or charged with a crime. Lexington Police Department Inspector Missy Silcox told Newsweek late Tuesday that Slice “is not a person of interest at the current moment.”
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
Lauren Beasley, a friend of Moore’s, told Digital that Moore went through “cycles” of wanting to move out and end the relationship, but didn’t.
WATCH: Scene of where Elena Katherine Moore’s body was found
“She expressed that she didn’t know what to do, and would say things like ‘I love him’ but then things would be good,” Beasley said. “And I hoped and assumed things had changed. It was definitely a cycle.”
“Cycles of wanting to leave and not,” Beasley said.
SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER
Elena Katherine Moore, 39, has been missing since she left a Planet Fitness gym in Lexington, South Carolina, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, according to the Lexington Police Department. (Lexington Police Department)
Sondra Campbell, who was close friends with Moore, told Digital that Moore tried to leave the relationship in the past.
MICA MILLER CASE: FBI CONDUCTS SEARCH OF SOUTH CAROLINA PASTOR HUSBAND’S HOME
Campbell previously said that something felt “very different” the last time she saw her on May 31.
SEND US A TIP HERE
A general view of the area in Lexington, S.C., where the body of personal trainer Elena Katherine Moore was found on June 19, 2026. Moore was last seen alive on June 11. (Kat Ramirez for Digital)
“She was scared for her life. She actually said those words to me,” Campbell said. “Elena is one of my best friends. I’ve known her over probably 10 years now. We’re really close like tell each other everything. She’s been that person for me for a long time.”
“Elena was such a good person and I think we’re just all just trying to wrap our head around this, but my friend would not be alone walking at nighttime. She just wouldn’t be, it’s not her,” Campbell added.
LISTEN TO THE NEW ‘CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’ PODCAST
According to LPD Chief Terrence Green, authorities found the body Wednesday after getting a tip that led investigators to a new search location.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB
Elena Moore disappeared in Lexington, S.C., on June 11, 2026. (Lexington Police Department)
“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,” Green said.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP
The body of South Carolina personal trainer Elena Katherine Moore was found in Lexington on June 19, 2026. She was last seen alive on June 11. (Kat Ramirez for Digital)
Moore was last seen walking through the Publix parking lot at 100 Old Cherokee Road in Lexington on the night of June 11.
Digital has reached out to Slice for comment.
Digital’s Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
