The tragic death of Tasia Fortune, who was found hanging in Mississippi, is edging towards resolution as investigators uncover more details.
A court hearing on Friday revealed that Fortune’s death resulted from a drug-related altercation, after which her body was hung from a tree to create the appearance of a lynching. This information was disclosed by a police detective, according to the Washington Post.
Detective Samuel Dukes testified that Fortune was initially killed elsewhere and then moved to the tree, as reported by Newsweek. The authorities suspect her body remained undiscovered for two to three days before it was found, NBC News reports.
Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, is accused of using a black cable cord to hang Fortune, and he faces murder charges in connection with her death, WLBT reports. Detective Dukes refrained from disclosing further details as the case is still awaiting a grand jury’s review.
Christy Spivey, Fortune’s mother, expressed her awareness of her daughter’s death prior to the hanging but noted that the manner of display drew significant attention. “What bothered me was they said Tasia fought for her life,” she stated. “I know she did. I know my daughter.”
The young mother’s death in August captured national headlines due to its shocking nature. The Jackson coroner’s mid-September ruling of homicide led to the arrest of a 51-year-old man connected to Fortune’s case, as reported by NewsOne.
Subsequently, a second suspect, Lloyd, was apprehended.
On Friday, Eric Clark, 45, voluntarily surrendered and faced murder charges. He is set to appear in court on Monday, Sept. 28, as reported by WLBT. This brings the number of indicted individuals in Fortune’s murder to three, including Jarques Ratliff, 51, and Lloyd.
In court proceedings, it was revealed that Ratliff, who had a personal history with Fortune, was denied bond after pleading not guilty. His lawyer, Toney Baldwin, maintains his client’s innocence, NBC News reports.
Originally from Kentucky, Fortune had resided in Jackson for a decade. She was interred at the historic West End Cemetery in Greenville, Kentucky, CNN reports.
SEE ALSO:
Black Woman Found Hanging In Jackson Identified As Tasia Fortune
Black Man Arrested In The Hanging Death Of Tasia Fortune
2nd Black Man Arrested In Hanging Death Of Tasia Fortune
