on april 18, 1998, elledge invited eloise fitzner and her friend, only referred to as "s.c.", into a bible-study room of a church where he worked as a custodian. after closing the door, he pulled a knife and bound the two women's wrists and ankles. he put a sweatshirt over s.c.'s head and made her face the wall. when s.c. heard struggling behind her, she tried to see what was happening. elledge noticed this and threatened to kill s.c. next if she did not remain faced to the wall. elledge first strangled ms. fitzner with his hands and then, not sure if she was dead, he fatally stabbed her in the neck. after hiding the body, elledge abducted s.c. and drove them home in ms. fitzner's car. at his home, he sexually assaulted s.c. and released her the following day. s.c. immediately went to police. elledge was arrested two days later and confessed.