Police say Elena Katherine Moore was last seen leaving a Lexington gym and walking toward a wooded area.
LEXINGTON, S.C. — Authorities in South Carolina continued searching this week for a 39-year-old personal trainer who disappeared after leaving a Planet Fitness gym, with investigators saying she was last seen Thursday evening walking toward a wooded area behind nearby businesses.
Police identified the missing woman as Elena Katherine Moore, who was reported missing Friday after family members were unable to reach her. Investigators have searched the area where she was last seen and are continuing to gather information about her movements. While the case has drawn significant public attention, officials say they do not currently suspect foul play and have not indicated that Moore is believed to be in immediate danger.
According to the Lexington Police Department, Moore was last seen on Thursday after visiting the Planet Fitness location at 560 Whiteford Way in Lexington. Investigators said gym records showed she signed in at approximately 6:40 p.m. Surveillance footage later captured her leaving the facility and heading toward a wooded area located behind a nearby Lowe’s store. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear. Police have not publicly disclosed a specific reason why Moore entered the area or whether she intended to meet anyone. As search efforts expanded over the following days, officers reviewed available evidence and retraced portions of her known route. The disappearance was formally reported Friday, prompting investigators to begin coordinating search operations and collecting information from potential witnesses. Family members and community residents have closely followed developments as authorities continue efforts to determine what happened after Moore left the gym.
Police described Moore as 5-foot-7 and approximately 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing an olive green zip-up hoodie and black athletic pants. Investigators conducted searches in the wooded area where she was seen walking, but officials said those efforts did not locate Moore or reveal evidence explaining her whereabouts. Lexington Police Department investigator Missy Silcox said Moore’s husband reported her missing after concerns arose about her absence. Silcox said investigators had not found indications of criminal activity as of the latest public update. Authorities also said they believed Moore had a cellphone with her when she disappeared. However, investigators reported that the device was not actively pinging, limiting their ability to track its location through conventional methods. Police have not disclosed whether additional electronic records, surveillance footage, or witness accounts have provided new leads.
The case has attracted widespread attention in Lexington, a growing community west of Columbia where disappearances are relatively uncommon and often generate strong public interest. Search operations in missing-person cases frequently involve a combination of law enforcement resources, interviews, surveillance reviews, and examinations of digital evidence. In Moore’s case, authorities have focused public attention on the final confirmed sighting near the gym and adjacent wooded area. Investigators often work to establish a detailed timeline during the early stages of such cases, seeking information from businesses, drivers, pedestrians, and others who may have been nearby. The lack of publicly identified evidence pointing to foul play has left many questions unanswered. At the same time, the absence of confirmed sightings after Moore left the fitness center has intensified efforts to identify anyone who may have seen her Thursday evening. Community members have continued sharing information and photographs as the search remains active.
Investigators have not announced any arrests, criminal charges, or persons of interest connected to the disappearance. The case remains classified as an active missing-person investigation. Police are expected to continue reviewing evidence and following tips provided by the public. Authorities have not released details regarding any future organized search operations or whether additional agencies may become involved. Detectives are also continuing efforts to reconstruct Moore’s movements after she left the gym. Law enforcement officials typically examine available surveillance recordings, cellphone data, witness interviews, and location records when attempting to establish a missing person’s final known activities. Because investigators have stated that Moore’s phone was not pinging, determining her movements after the last confirmed sighting may prove more difficult. Officials have emphasized that information from members of the public could still play an important role as the investigation moves forward.
The disappearance has generated concern among residents familiar with Moore and the local fitness community. Friends, neighbors, and supporters have followed updates closely as authorities search for answers. Investigators have continued to stress that every confirmed detail matters when establishing a timeline. Silcox said police do not currently believe Moore is in imminent danger, a statement that has offered some reassurance while still leaving many unanswered questions. Community members have expressed hope that new information will emerge through continued investigative work and public outreach. The wooded area where Moore was last seen remains a central focus of the investigation because it represents the final verified point in her known movements. As search efforts continue, authorities are working to separate confirmed facts from speculation and build a clearer understanding of what occurred after Moore left the gym Thursday evening.
As of the latest update, Elena Katherine Moore remains missing. Investigators continue reviewing evidence and pursuing leads while asking anyone with information about her whereabouts or activities after Thursday evening to contact authorities. The next significant development is expected to come from new evidence, witness accounts, or additional search findings.
Author note: Last updated June 18, 2026.