Mississippi police say hanging of mother of four was staged in drug-related homicide
Jackson police chief described the death of Tasia Fortune as a homicide staged to mislead investigators, and announced additional arrests and conspiracy charges are expected.
Jackson, Mississippi police chief RaShall Brackney told reporters that the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body was discovered on Aug. 3 hanging from a tree behind a vacant home, was a homicide that had been staged to divert the investigation.
Brackney said the incident appears to be linked to a drug dispute that went wrong and that authorities expect further arrests and will file conspiracy charges against the three suspects already in custody.
The three men – Jarques Ratliff, 51, Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, and Eric Clark, 45 – were arrested on murder charges after a detective testified they had taken Fortune to a home on Capitol Street in early August and later returned without her. Ratliff entered a not-guilty plea; bond was denied for Ratliff and Lloyd, while Clark’s bond was set at $5 million.
Fortune’s family issued a statement thanking supporters and asking for patience as the investigation continues.
"This has just devastated us," said Christy Spivey, Fortune’s mother, describing the impact on the family.