Police in Jackson, Mississippi claim Tasia Fortune was murdered in a drug dispute and that her hanging was “staged.” Police have come to this conclusion as they arrest a third person in her death.
As we previously shared, Fortune’s family and local leaders called for an investigation after the 29-year-old mother of four’s body was found hanging rom a tree behind an abandoned home in a mostly-Black neighborhood.
Local residents made the discovery, and, initially, officials said they did not know how long she had been there. However, the Hinds County Coroner’s Office soon revealed the remains belonged to Fortune. They also claimed she was hanging from the tree for about 3 to 4 days before being discovered on the evening of August 3. That same night, the Jackson Police Department released an initial statement about the discovery and subsequent investigation.
“The Jackson Police Department is currently on the scene of a death investigation in the 500 block of Road of Remembrance. Officers located the body of an unidentified Black female at the location. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Crime scene investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the death. We ask the public to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel room to work. We will provide updates as new details develop.”
Mississippi Police Arrest Three Men In Death Of Tasia Fortune, Woman Found Hanging In Tree
By September 10, the medical examiner officially ruled Fortune’s death a homicide. The next day, September 11, police revealed they had taken their first suspect into custody.
Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney announced at a news conference that they arrested 51-year-old Jacques Ratliff. He now faces a murder charge. Police said Ratliff had an “association” with Fortune, but did not disclose further details about their connection.
Nearly two weeks later, on September 22, police arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr., charging him with murder as well. Police said they had also obtained an arrest warrant for a third suspect, not yet identified. However, they have now taken him into custody, identifying him as 45-year-old Erick Clark.
On Friday (September 25), the Jackson Police Department announced that Clark was charged with murder after turning himself in. Additionally, Jackson police Detective Samuel Dukes testified that officials believe Fortune’s death was “staged.” He also believes her death stemmed from an apparent drug dispute.
#Socialites, be sure to check out the post below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment after!