Jackson police arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr. on Tuesday as the second man arrested in Tasia Fortune’s death; a warrant has been issued for a third suspect. Fortune, 29, was found hanging behind an abandoned home on Aug. 3.
The first man arrested, 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff, was arrested on murder charges in September, pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond. Lloyd appeared at a brief hearing Wednesday.
Police have not identified the third suspect or detailed that person’s alleged connection to Fortune, and said they expect to issue additional warrants. They have not suggested a motive or said whether they think race played a role. Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, said she was ecstatic about the arrests, though neither she nor several of her daughter’s friends knew Lloyd; she cautioned that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
