Mississippi police say Tasia Fortune was killed before her body was placed in tree

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 27, 2026

JACKSON, Mississippi — Investigators say a 29-year-old woman whose body was discovered hanging from a tree in Jackson, Mississippi, had already died before her body was placed at the scene.

Tasia Fortune’s body was found on August 3 behind an abandoned home in the Mississippi capital. A Jackson police detective testified in court on September 25 that investigators believe the hanging was staged, citing the medical examiner’s determination that Fortune’s death was a homicide.

Investigation points to a killing elsewhere

Detective Samuel Dukes told the court that investigators believe Fortune was killed at another location and that her body was subsequently placed in the tree. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the precise cause of death.

Police have also said they believe the killing may have stemmed from a dispute involving drugs. According to testimony reported by the Associated Press, investigators believe Fortune fought with her attackers before her death.

The investigation has resulted in multiple arrests. Jarques Ratliff, 51, and Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, have been arrested on murder charges. A third man, Eric Clark, 45, surrendered to authorities and was also charged with murder, according to reporting published September 26.

Case draws attention in Jackson

The circumstances surrounding Fortune’s death generated considerable concern in Jackson because the discovery of a Black woman hanging from a tree evoked the history of racial violence and lynchings in Mississippi.

Police have said, however, that their current investigation points toward a suspected drug-related dispute rather than publicly identifying the killing as racially motivated. The distinction remains important as investigators continue to build the case.

Family remembers a mother of four

Fortune was a mother of four. Her mother, Christy Spivey, has said her daughter had experienced homelessness but was attempting to rebuild her life and had discussed starting a cleaning business. Spivey has also said she did not believe her daughter had taken her own life.

Authorities have not released all details surrounding Fortune’s death, and the criminal proceedings remain ongoing. Ratliff has pleaded not guilty, while the case is continuing through the court process.