← Latest briefing

US News

Second suspect arrested in Jackson death of Tasia Fortune, police say

Authorities pursue further suspects after a woman was found hanging behind a Mississippi home.

The short version

  • Jackson police arrested Earnest Lloyd Jr. in connection with the August death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, marking the second arrest in the case.[ABC News]
  • A first suspect, Jarques Ratliff, was previously arrested on murder charges, pleaded not guilty, and remains detained without bond.[ABC News]
  • Investigators have secured an arrest warrant for a third unidentified suspect with assistance from the U.S. Marshals and expect further arrests.[ABC News · NBC News]
  • Authorities have not disclosed a motive or Fortune's official cause of death.[NBC News]

Key facts

  • Jackson police arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr. regarding the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body was discovered hanging behind an abandoned residence on Aug. 3.[ABC News]
  • Jarques Ratliff, 51, was arrested on murder charges in September, entered a plea of not guilty, and remains held without bond.[ABC News]
  • Law enforcement issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect, assisted by the U.S. Marshals, without revealing the individual's identity.[ABC News · NBC News]
  • Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney stated that Ratliff had an unspecified association with Fortune.[ABC News]
  • Brackney indicated detectives are pursuing more warrants and stated that additional arrests will occur.[NBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • Authorities have not released Fortune's official cause of death or a suspected motive.[NBC News]
  • Police have not identified the third suspect named in the outstanding arrest warrant.[ABC News]
  • Police have not specified the nature of the association between Fortune and Ratliff.[ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.