Woman killed in alleged suicide pact was ‘manipulated,’ family says. ‘An easy target’

A man accused of killing a woman recently found dead at an Oklahoma storage facility says they made a suicide pact, according to police. Her family doesn’t believe it.

The woman was discovered at about noon July 5, by a customer at a storage lot in Edmond, according to a police report. 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, the report said. Inside her bag, the officer found a passport and wallet, and her identity — 30-year-old Elyse Marie Betz.

Born in Fairfax, Virginia, “Elyse was a beacon of joy and creativity, known for her infectious laughter and the bright smile marked by her distinctive dimples,” a July 7 obituary shared by her family read. Betz, who rode horses and loved the outdoors, also had a sharp mind and launched straight into a successful career in engineering after college, “where she was highly regarded for her expertise and dedication.”

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, Edmond police learned Betz may have been staying at a nearby hotel with a man named Kyle Fedus, police said in a news release.

July 6 body camera video shows several officers speaking with management in the lobby of the hotel, and as one officer is looking around the room, she spots a face she recognizes. The man quickly tries to leave the room as the officer approaches, video shows.

She asks him if he’s Kyle Fedus. He says he’s not, then tries to run down a hallway before officers take him to the ground, video shows.

Fedus was taken into custody on a federal warrant accusing him of violating probation, which was unrelated to Betz’ death, according to a police report. 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, according to police. He said he did the same to himself, but while he survived, Betz did not, he told investigators.

“Fedus detailed that on the night of July 4, 2024, they fled their hotel parking lot on foot, fearing the presence of law enforcement. They ran through the woods and ended up at the storage facility, where they decided to” die by suicide, Fedus said, according to police.

A tragic meeting

Prior to her disappearance, Betz had been seeking help for alcohol abuse in the wake of their mother’s death, Beckman told KWTV. This is how and when Betz met Fedus, Beckman 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, the outlet reported.

“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.

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.

This story was originally published July 9, 2024 at 2:05 PM with the headline "Woman killed in alleged suicide pact was ‘manipulated,’ family says. ‘An easy target’."