Jackson, Mississippi, police have arrested a 51 year old man in connection with the death of Tasia Fortune, a 29 year old woman whose body was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned house in Jackson on Aug. 3.
Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney announced the arrest Friday, Sept. 11, after investigators located the suspect walking along Capitol Street near the area where Fortune was found.
Police identified the man as Ratliff, although supplied reports spell his first name differently as Jarques Ratliff and Harques Ratliff. He is also known as “Jock.”
The Mississippi medical examiner determined Fortune’s death was a homicide, a finding that allowed Jackson police to move forward with arrest warrants.
Brackney said Ratliff was known to Fortune but did not provide details about their association or what investigators believe led to her death.
Police said the investigation remains active and that additional arrests could follow as detectives examine the evidence. Brackney said investigators have interviewed 15 people in connection with the case.
Fortune’s death had drawn national attention because her body was discovered hanging from a tree in a city with a history of racial violence and lynching.
More than 50 members of Congress recently urged the FBI and US Justice Department to independently examine reports involving Black people found hanging from trees in several states.
Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, told the BBC that the arrest brought some relief but said she hoped investigators had identified the correct person.
She had previously criticized what she described as limited communication from authorities.
Brackney said police had remained in contact with Fortune’s mother, stepfather and biological father throughout the investigation. She emphasized that the arrest is an investigative step rather than the conclusion of the case.
The case remains under investigation, with authorities expected to pursue additional evidence before determining whether further arrests or charges are warranted.
