Mississippi detectives say woman was dead before body was placed in tree

Detectives testifying in a Jackson, Mississippi court said the 29-year-old woman found hanging from a tree on the grounds of an abandoned home had been dead before the body was positioned to look like a lynching. The police believe the death resulted from a drug-related dispute, according to the Associated Press.

The body was discovered in August, sparking concern in the majority-Black city because of Mississippi’s history of racial violence. After weeks of public inquiries, authorities made several arrests.

Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney told the BBC that the department’s statements have been consistent and that the victim was found in a hanging position, adding that no information contradicting that description has been released.

The medical examiner has ruled the death a homicide and indicated that a murder charge will be pursued. Jarques Ratliff, 51, was arrested, has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody without bond.