Man arrested in death of Tasia Fortune, Mississippi woman found hanging from tree

September 11, 2026 / 7:52 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Mississippi police have arrested a man in the death of Tasia Fortune, a Black woman found hanging from a tree last month.

Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney said at a news conference Friday that police had secured search and arrest warrants for Jarques Ratliff and arrested him when they encountered him walking on the street. Brackney said Ratliff had an "association" with Fortune but would not disclose details about it at this time.

Ratliff, 51, was arrested on a charge of murder, police said.

The state medical examiner's office determined Thursday evening that the death was a homicide, Brackney said, allowing them to execute the warrants they already had on hand.

"This case remains active and additional arrests will be pending," Brackney said.

The chief said police interviewed nearly 15 people, collected forensic evidence and pursued leads in the case. "The warrants executed today and the arrest of Mr. Ratliff are significant steps, but there is still an ongoing investigation," Brackney said.

Christy Spivey, Fortune's mother, said Friday after police told her of the arrest that "I just started crying and told them 'thank you, thank you, thank you.'"

Spivey said…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/