Jackson Police Arrest Man in Tasia Fortune Homicide Case After Medical Examiner Verdict

Jackson, Mississippi – Police arrested a man on Friday in connection with the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body was found hanging from a tree outside an abandoned house on Aug. 3. The arrest followed the state medical examiner’s determination that Fortune’s death was a homicide. > "Last night, the medical examiner’s office officially classified Miss Fortune’s death as a homicide. With that determination, our investigators moved quickly," Chief RaShall Brackney said at a news conference.

Chief Brackney said investigators obtained two search warrants and an arrest warrant for the suspect. After failing to locate him at the search-warrant address, officers apprehended him on a city street near police headquarters. Additional arrest warrants may be issued as the probe continues. > "That arrest today is an important development in this investigation but it is not the conclusion," Brackney added.

Fortune was discovered in a hanging position with varying stages of decomposition. The case has drawn attention in a community that has seen two other recent deaths involving individuals found hanging from trees, though those were ruled suicides. Jackson police have interviewed about 15 people, gathered forensic evidence and pursued multiple leads, but the investigation remains active. > "This is not closure. This is just one step as we continue to investigate this case," Brackney said.