The death of Tasia Fortune, a 29-year-old Black mother of four, found hanging from a tree in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 3 has been ruled a homicide, according to the state medical examiner's office. Police detective Samuel Dukes testified on Friday that the scene was staged and Fortune had been killed over a drug dispute before her body was discovered.
Dukes stated that Fortune had fought her assailants, according to the Associated Press. The Jackson Police Department revealed that Fortune's body had likely been at the site for two to three days before it was found outside an abandoned home. The Mississippi medical examiner's office officially ruled the death a homicide on September 10.
Arrests and Court Proceedings
Three men have been charged with murder in connection with Fortune's death: Jarques Ratliff, 51; Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25; and Eric Clark, 45. All three are Black.
Ratliff appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Friday. He told the court that he was friends with Fortune. Detective Dukes testified that Ratliff made comments about Fortune's death that indicated he had been present at the scene, including details about her ability to defend herself. Dukes also stated that Ratliff and Fortune had been intimate and had stayed at the same property. Law enforcement has a witness who could testify to Ratliff's involvement, and investigators believe Fortune may have been killed for taking the suspect's illegal drugs.
Ratliff's defense attorney questioned the prosecution's evidence, arguing that there was no clear reason to hold his client without bond. The judge recessed Ratliff's hearing until September 30, and he remains jailed without bond.
Lloyd Jr. was arrested and charged with murder. Jackson police accused him of hanging Fortune with a black cable cord and stated that he had an altercation with her shortly before her death. Lloyd Jr. was denied bond.
Clark surrendered to authorities on Friday and was also charged with murder.
Family Reaction
Fortune's mother, Christy Spivey, stated that she knew her daughter was dead before her body was found. The family had previously disputed any notion that Fortune had died by suicide. Spivey expressed that she knew her daughter had fought for her life. She also commented that Ratliff's claim of friendship with Fortune sounded sincere, as her daughter had many friends, and added that she hoped any innocent individuals would be cleared.
Fortune had recently experienced homelessness and had discussed plans to start a cleaning business. The case has drawn attention due to Mississippi's history of lynchings.