Oklahoma engineering student dies in suicide pact with mysterious man who survived - as family make bombshell claim

• READ MORE: Boy gives excuse after arrest for trying to kidnap two women 

A man who stands accused of killing a woman found dead at an Oklahoma  storage facility says they made a suicide pact, yet he managed to survive.

The woman from North Carolina, identified as 30-year-old Elyse Marie Betz, was discovered on July 5, lying face down in rain-soaked clothes, without any visible signs of trauma in an Edmund storage unit, close to downtown Oklahoma City.

Police have arrested a man, Kyle Fedus, who said they had both attempted suicide, but only he survived. 

The woman's family believe she was manipulated and possibly murdered by Fedus who has been charged with first-degree murder.

Responding officers say they didn't see any obvious signs of trauma, a weapon, or indications that a weapon had been used. Police also found a passport and wallet inside the woman's bag.

'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 liked to ride horses and loved the outdoors. After graduating college she 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 away from her home in the company of a many she barely knew. 

'I'm not letting him get out of prison over my dead body,' Betz sister Laura Beckman told KWTV. 

Before she disappeared Betz had been seeking help for alcohol abuse in the wake of her mother's death.

'I think she was manipulated into being kidnapped and he murdered her,' Beckman told the station. 'Unfortunately, he found an easy target to manipulate.' 

In speaking with investigators, Fedus claimed that he and Betz had intentionally overdosed as part of a suicide pact.

'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.

Hie explanation does not sit well with Betz's 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?' Beckman said. 

Edmond police says they believe Betz might have been staying at a nearby hotel with Fedus.

Body cam footage sees a number of officers chatting with hotel management in the lobby when one cop can be seen looking around the room and spots what they believe to be a familiar face.

The man then quickly attempts to leave the room as the officer approaches.

When asked if he is Kyle Fedus, the man says he is not but then tries to run down a hallway.

Video sees officers tackling him to the ground before he is taken into custody on a federal warrant accusing him of violating probation, unrelated to Betz's death.

The investigation into exactly how Betz's died with toxicology results from the medical examiner's office still pending.