Third suspect charged in Mississippi woman's death after investigators say hanging was staged
Police have arrested a third man, Eric Clark, and charged him with murder in the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose hanging behind an abandoned home was deemed staged by investigators.
Police announced Friday that Eric Clark, 45, surrendered and was charged with murder in the death of Tasia Fortune, 29, whose body was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned house in Mississippi in August. An autopsy report indicated that the scene and the hanging had been staged. Clark is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The investigation has also resulted in the arrests of Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, and Jarques Ratliff, 51, both charged with murder. Detectives have interviewed up to 15 individuals, gathered forensic evidence and pursued multiple leads, according to a police news release. Authorities said Ratliff had an "association" with Fortune, while Lloyd is alleged to have had a physical altercation with her shortly before her death. WLBT reported that police claim Lloyd used a black cable cord to hang Fortune.