A man accused of killing a woman found dead in an Oklahoma storage facility says they made a suicide pact, but he managed to survive.
The North Carolina woman, identified as Elyse Marie Betz, 30, was discovered July 5 face down in rain-soaked clothing with no visible signs of trauma in a storage unit in Edmund, near downtown Oklahoma City.
Police arrested a man, Kyle Fedus, who said they both tried to commit suicide, but only he survived.
The woman’s family believes she was manipulated and possibly killed 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 a wallet inside the woman’s handbag.
Elyse Marie Betz, 30, was discovered July 5, face down in rain-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 had 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 bright smile punctuated by her signature dimples,” reads a July 7 obituary shared by her family.
Betz enjoyed horseback riding and loved being outdoors. After graduating from college, he 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 from home in the company of many people she barely knew.
“I’m not going to let him walk out of prison over my dead body,” said Betz’s sister, Laura Beckman. KWTV Channel.
Before she disappeared, Betz had been seeking help for alcohol abuse following the death of her mother.
Betz, who lived in North Carolina, was reported missing by her family in June and was found nearly 1,000 miles from her home in the company of many people she barely knew.
Betz, seen on the right, enjoyed horseback riding and loved the outdoors.
After graduating from college, Betz began a successful career in engineering.
Speaking to investigators, Fedus, pictured, claimed he and Betz had 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.”
Speaking to investigators, Fedus claimed he and Betz had intentionally overdosed as part of a suicide pact.
Fedus said they fled the parking lot of their hotel on foot on the night of July 4, 2024, fearing the presence of law enforcement. They ran through the woods and ended up at the warehouse, where they decided to “commit suicide,” Fedus said, according to police.
This explanation does not sit well with Betz’s family.
“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 asked.
Edmond police say they believe Betz may have been staying at a nearby hotel with Fedus.
Aura Beckman, right, sister of Elyse Betz, left, said she had been seeking help for alcohol abuse following the death of her mother, pictured center.
“If you knew my sister was dead and you were supposed to be dead too, why did you leave her there? Why didn’t you call 911?” asks Laura Beckman (right), sister of Elyse Betz (left).
Body camera footage shows several officers talking with hotel management in the lobby.
A police officer in the hotel lobby appeared to recognize Fedus.
The video shows officers tackling Kyle Fedus to the ground before taking him into custody.
Body camera footage shows several officers conversing with hotel management in the lobby when one officer can be seen looking around the room and spots what he believes to be a familiar face.
The man then quickly attempts to exit the room as the officer approaches.
When asked if he is Kyle Fedus, the man says no, but then attempts to run down a hallway.
The video shows officers tackling him to the ground before he was taken into custody on a federal warrant charging him with violating parole, unrelated to Betz’s death.
The investigation into exactly how Betz died with toxicology results from the medical examiner’s office still pending.