Arrest Made In Connection To Body At Self-Storage Facility

A man accused of killing a woman whose body was recently discovered at an Oklahoma storage facility claims that they had made a suicide pact, according to police, but her family isn't buying it.

The body of the deceased woman, 30-year-old Elyse Marie Betz who lived in North Carolina, was found July 5 at Coltrane Mini Storage by a customer at a storage lot in Edmond – nearly 1,000 miles from home. She was lying face down, dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, drenched in rainwater from a storm that passed through earlier that morning. The responding officer didn’t see any obvious signs of trauma, a weapon, or indications that a weapon was used. 

“Elyse was a beacon of joy and creativity, known for her infectious laughter and the bright smile marked by her distinctive dimples,” an obituary shared by her family read. Betz, who rode horses and loved the outdoors, had a successful career in engineering.

Edmond police learned Betz may have been staying at a nearby hotel with a man named Kyle Fedus. When police located Fedus at the hotel, he tried to run but was quickly apprehended. He was then taken into custody on a federal warrant accusing him of violating probation, which was unrelated to Betz’ death. He was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service in Raleigh, N.C.

In an interview with investigators, Fedus said he caused an intentional overdose in Betz as part of a suicide pact they had made. He said he did the same to himself, but while he survived.

Betz, who lived in North Carolina, was reported missing by her family in June, KWTV reported. She died nearly 1,000 miles from home in the company of a man she hardly knew, Betz’ sister, Laura Beckman, told the station. “I’m not letting him get out of prison over my dead body,” Beckman said. A PACT During their investigation,

Prior to her disappearance, Betz had been seeking help for alcohol abuse in the wake of their mother’s death, Betz' sister, Laura Beckman, told reporters. This is how and when Betz met Fedus, she said. “I think she was manipulated into being kidnapped and he murdered her,” she told the station. “Unfortunately, he found an easy target to manipulate.”

Fedus’ explanation, the suicide pact, doesn’t sit well with Betz’ family. “If you knew my sister was dead, and you were supposed to be dead then why did you leave her there? Why didn’t you call 911?” she said. “I’m not letting him get out of prison... over my dead body,” Beckman said.

The investigation in Betz’ death is ongoing, and as of July 9, toxicology results from the medical examiner’s office are pending, according to police. Fedus is charged with first-degree murder. Edmond is a roughly 15-mile drive north from downtown Oklahoma City.