Jarques Ratliff and Earnest Lloyd Jr. were arrested on murder charges. A detective testified Friday that authorities believe Tasia Fortune was killed elsewhere over missing illegal narcotics before a staged hanging; they believe she died two to three days before discovery.
Authorities believe Lloyd used a black cable cord to hang Fortune from a tree behind the Jackson, Mississippi, house where she was found. Police are seeking to detain one more person.
Detective Samuel Dukes also testified that Fortune and Ratliff were friends and had an intimate relationship. Ratliff’s attorney said his client denied involvement and that he believed him; Fortune’s mother said she hoped authorities had the right people. Her death came amid alarm over other hanging deaths of Black people and comparisons with historic lynchings.
