Mississippi police say Tasia Fortune was killed before body was hung in ‘staged’ scene

Investigators in Jackson, Mississippi, say 29-year-old Tasia Fortune was already dead when her body was placed in a tree behind an abandoned home, contradicting the initial appearance of a hanging death.

Jackson Police Detective Samuel Dukes made the disclosure during a preliminary hearing on Friday, saying the state medical examiner’s findings indicated that the hanging was “staged.” Authorities have ruled Fortune’s death a homicide but have not publicly disclosed the precise cause of death.

According to Dukes, investigators believe Fortune was killed following a dispute involving drugs. He told the court that interviews with witnesses indicated Fortune fought with her attackers before she was killed.

Fortune’s body was discovered on August 3 behind a vacant property in west Jackson. The circumstances surrounding the discovery attracted national attention because the positioning of her body evoked the history of racial lynchings in Mississippi. Authorities, however, have not said that race was a motive in her killing.

Police have arrested two men in connection with the case. Jarques Ratliff, 51, was arrested earlier this month and charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bond.

A second suspect, Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, was arrested this week and also charged with murder. Police have additionally issued a warrant for another person they believe may have been involved.

Dukes testified that investigators believe Fortune may have been killed at another location before her body was taken to the abandoned property and placed in the tree. Authorities have not explained why investigators believe the body was subsequently hung.

The preliminary hearing involving Ratliff is expected to resume on September 30. The proceeding is intended to determine whether prosecutors have enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury for possible indictment.

Fortune was a mother of four. Her mother, Christy Spivey, has described her daughter as someone who was trying to rebuild her life and had discussed starting a cleaning business. Spivey attended Friday’s court proceedings and said she believed her daughter fought for her life.

Ratliff’s family has maintained that he is innocent. His attorney, Toney Baldwin, also said outside court that his client denied involvement in Fortune’s death.

The investigation remains active, with police continuing to search for another suspect and indicating that additional developments could follow.