Tasia Fortune, a Black woman whose body was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home in Jackson last month, had already died before her body was placed there, a police detective testified in court Friday. Jackson police detective Samuel Dukes told a hearing that the hanging appeared to have been “staged”, citing the medical examiner’s opinion. Authorities have ruled Fortune’s death a homicide but have not publicly disclosed the exact cause of death or explained why her body was hung from the tree.Fortune’s body was discovered on August 3. The circumstances drew widespread attention because the scene evoked the history of lynchings and racial violence in Mississippi.According to Dukes, investigators believe the killing was linked to a dispute involving drugs. He testified that interviews with people familiar with the case indicated Fortune fought her attackers before she was killed.
Two arrested in murder case
Police have arrested two men in connection with Fortune’s death and issued a warrant for a third person.Jarques Ratliff, 51, was the first suspect arrested and has pleaded not guilty. He remains in the Hinds County jail without bond. Ratliff’s preliminary hearing is aimed at determining whether prosecutors have sufficient evidence to send the case to a grand jury for possible indictment. The hearing is scheduled to resume on September 30.Police also arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr this week. Both men face murder charges.During Friday’s hearing, Ratliff said Fortune had been his friend.Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, told reporters outside court that she knew her daughter had died before her body was hung. She said what troubled her was learning that Fortune had fought for her life.“I know she did. I know my daughter,” Spivey said, according to AP.
Who was Tasia Fortune?
Fortune was a mother of four who had struggled with homelessness in recent years, according to her mother. Spivey said she was unsure where her daughter had been living when she died.She said Fortune had been trying to rebuild her life and had spoken about starting a cleaning business.The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the precise circumstances of Fortune’s death or the reason investigators believe her body was subsequently hung from the tree.