A woman went missing after the gym. A body was found during the search

A body believed to be that of a South Carolina woman who vanished after leaving a gym last week was found during an extensive search conducted by law enforcement and emergency personnel, authorities said.

The body was discovered Wednesday, June 17, in a wooded area along Old Cherokee Road in Lexington, South Carolina, where investigators had been searching after receiving a tip that Elena Katherine Moore had been seen there on June 11, according to the Lexington Police Department.

Police said the body has not yet been officially identified by the coroner, but the clothing matched the description of Moore, a 39-year-old personal trainer who had been missing for nearly a week.

The Lexington Police Department has requested that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division take over the death investigation, Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green said during a June 17 news conference.

USA TODAY reached out to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for additional comment.

Search led investigators to wooded area

According to police, officers and fire personnel began searching wooded areas near North Lake Drive and Old Cherokee Road at approximately 1:30 p.m. on June 17 after receiving information from a community member who reported seeing Moore in the area on June 11.

Authorities located the unidentified body at approximately 2:48 p.m. within the search zone. Investigators have not released a cause or manner of death.

Green thanked the public, local media outlets and numerous law enforcement and emergency response agencies that assisted in the search effort.

"Due to their commitment to public information, LPD received hundreds of tips and leads that have assisted with every step of this investigation," the department said in a statement.

Moore disappeared after visiting Planet Fitness

Moore, a personal trainer at Wolf's Fitness Center in Lexington, was reported missing on June 12 after family and friends were unable to contact her.

Investigators said Moore regularly visited the Planet Fitness at 560 Whiteford Way in Lexington and signed into the gym at approximately 6:40 p.m. on June 11.

Surveillance footage later captured Moore leaving the gym and walking through the parking lot of a nearby Publix at 100 Old Cherokee Road. Police said she was last seen on camera at 9:17 p.m. walking in the direction of Old Cherokee Road while wearing an olive-green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants.

Earlier searches focused on wooded areas behind a Lowe's Home Improvement store and Planet Fitness, but those efforts did not uncover any trace of Moore.

Investigation continues

Authorities have not announced whether foul play is suspected. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division will now lead the death investigation while officials await formal identification by the Lexington County Coroner's Office.

Police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the discovery.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected], or on X @athompsonUSAT