Mississippi police arrest third suspect in Tasia Fortune murder case
Authorities arrested Eric Clark and charged him with murder in the death of Tasia Fortune, concluding that the hanging scene was staged, while two other men already face murder charges.
Mississippi authorities arrested 45-year-old Eric Clark on Friday and charged him with murder in connection with the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, a mother of four whose body was found hanging from a tree in Jackson. The Jackson Police Department said an autopsy determined that the hanging and the scene were staged, and that Fortune had been dead for two to three days before the body was discovered.
Detective Samuel Dukes told a court that investigators believe Fortune was killed elsewhere and her body was later placed in the tree. The police have not released further details about the circumstances of the killing.
Clark’s arrest follows earlier charges against Earnest Lloyd Jr. and Jarques Ratliff, who were also charged with murder. Both men have pleaded not guilty and were denied bond. The police department said its robbery-homicide division will continue investigating until all individuals believed to be involved are held accountable.
Local reports indicated an alleged altercation between Lloyd and Fortune shortly before her death, with police alleging Lloyd used a black cable cord to hang her. Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, said she was certain her daughter would not have taken her own life.