A man accused of killing a woman found dead in an Oklahoma warehouse says they made a suicide pact, but he survived.
The North Carolina woman, identified as 30-year-old Elyse Marie Betz, was found July 5 lying face down in soaked clothing with no visible signs of injury in a storage unit in Edmund, near downtown Oklahoma City.
Police arrested a man, Kyle Fedus, who said they both attempted suicide but he was the only one who survived.
The woman’s family believes she was manipulated and possibly murdered by Fedus, who has been charged with first-degree murder.
Responding officers said they saw no obvious signs of trauma, a weapon or indications that a weapon had been used. Police also found a passport and wallet in the woman’s purse.
Elyse Marie Betz, 30, was found July 5 lying face down in soaked clothing with no visible signs of trauma at a storage facility in Edmund, near downtown Oklahoma City.
Police arrested a man, Kyle Fedus, who said he and Betz both attempted suicide, but only he survived.
Betz was discovered at this storage facility in Edmund, just outside downtown Oklahoma City
“Elyse was a beacon of joy and creativity, known for her infectious laugh and radiant smile with her signature dimples,” reads an obituary shared by her family on July 7.
Betz enjoyed horse riding and the outdoors, and after graduating, she began a successful career in engineering.
Betz, who lived in North Carolina, was reported missing by her family in June and was found nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from her home in the company of people she barely knew.
“I’m not letting him get out of jail because of my body,” Betz’s sister Laura Beckman said KWTV.
Before she disappeared, Betz sought help for her alcohol abuse following her mother’s death.
Betz, who lived in North Carolina, was reported missing by her family in June and was found nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) from her home in the company of a group of people she barely knew.
Betz, pictured right, loved horse riding and the outdoors
After graduating from university, Betz began a successful career in engineering
During a conversation with investigators, Fedus (pictured) claimed that he and Betz intentionally overdosed as part of a suicide pact
“I think she was manipulated into being kidnapped and he killed her,” Beckman told the station. “Unfortunately, he found an easy target to manipulate.”
During a meeting with investigators, Fedus claimed that he and Betz had intentionally overdosed as part of a suicide pact.
‘Fedus said they fled their hotel parking lot on foot on the evening of July 4, 2024, fearing law enforcement presence. They ran through the woods and ended up at the storage facility, where they decided to ‘commit suicide,’ Fedus said, according to police.
Betz’s family is not happy with this explanation.
“If you knew my sister was dead, and you were supposed to be dead, why did you leave her there? Why didn’t you call 911?” Beckman said.
Edmond police suspect Betz was staying at a nearby hotel with Fedus.
Aura Beckman, right, the sister of Elyse Betz, left, said she sought help for alcohol abuse after the death of her mother, pictured center
“If you knew my sister was dead, and you were supposed to be dead, why did you leave her there? Why didn’t you call 911?” Laura Beckman, right, sister of Elyse Betz, left, asks
Bodycam footage shows several officers talking to hotel management in the lobby
A police officer in the hotel lobby appeared to recognize Fedus
Video shows officers beating Kyle Fedus to the ground before arresting him
Bodycam footage shows several officers in the lobby talking to hotel management. One of them looks around the room and sees a familiar face.
The man then tries to quickly leave the room as the officer approaches.
When asked if he is Kyle Fedus, the man replies that he is not, but then tries to run down the hallway.
Video footage shows officers tackling him to the ground before arresting him on a federal warrant. He is accused of violating his probation, but this is unrelated to Betz’s death.
The investigation into the precise manner in which Betz died, with the coroner’s toxicology results still pending.