Police Say Woman's Hanging Was Staged

Police Detail a New Theory

Jackson, Mississippi, investigators say Tasia Fortune was already dead before her body was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home on Aug. 3. Detective Samuel Dukes testified Friday that the hanging had been staged, citing the medical examiner’s opinion. Authorities have ruled Fortune’s death a homicide but have not publicly disclosed her exact cause of death. The new testimony provided the clearest public account yet of what police believe happened before her body was discovered.

Three Men Face Murder Charges

Three men have now been arrested and charged with murder in connection with Fortune’s death. Jarques Ratliff, 51, was the first person arrested in September and has pleaded not guilty. Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, was arrested later in the month. A third man, Eric Clark, 45, surrendered to authorities Friday after a warrant was issued for his arrest. The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Detective Testifies About the Investigation

Dukes testified during a hearing in Ratliff’s case that investigators believe Fortune was killed before her body was placed in the tree. He said police believe a drug dispute may have been connected to the killing. Authorities have not said why they believe her body was placed there afterward. The hearing was held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for Ratliff’s case to proceed to a grand jury for possible indictment.

Discovery Drew Immediate Attention

Fortune was 29 and the mother of four children. Her death drew widespread attention after her body was found behind the vacant property in Jackson. Because Fortune was Black and was found hanging from a tree in Mississippi, the discovery also prompted concern about whether the death could have been racially motivated. Police have not announced evidence establishing a racial motive, and Fortune’s mother has said she believed the death was personal rather than race-related.

Family Waits as Case Moves Forward

Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, told reporters that she had already understood that her daughter died before her body was hanged. She has described Fortune as someone who had struggled with homelessness in recent years and was trying to improve her circumstances. Spivey also said she does not want an innocent person jailed in the case. Her comments came as investigators and prosecutors continued to develop the evidence against the men who have been arrested.

Court Proceedings Continue

Ratliff remains jailed without bond, according to reporting on the hearing. His proceeding is scheduled to resume Sept. 30. Clark is expected to make a court appearance following his surrender and arrest. Authorities have said the investigation remains active as the cases move through the legal process. The exact cause of Fortune’s death and the reason investigators believe her body was staged in the tree have not been publicly disclosed.

References: Police believe Tasia Fortune’s hanging was staged as new details revealed in court | Tasia Fortune’s hanging was “staged” after her death, Mississippi police say | Third person arrested in death of Tasia Fortune, as police say hanging was staged