On September 11, 2026, law enforcement in Mississippi arrested a man linked to the death of Tasia Fortune, a Black woman found hanging from a tree. Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney announced during a news conference that officers obtained search and arrest warrants for 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff. They arrested Ratliff while he was walking on the street. Ratliff is charged with murder, though details about his connection to Fortune have not been disclosed.
The state medical examiner’s office classified Fortune’s death as a homicide on Thursday evening, prompting the execution of the warrants. Chief Brackney commented, “This case remains active and additional arrests will be pending.” Nearly 15 individuals were interviewed, with forensic evidence collected and leads pursued by the police. Brackney emphasized that while the arrest of Ratliff is a significant step, the investigation is ongoing.
“I just started crying and told them ‘thank you, thank you, thank you.'”
These were the emotional words of Christy Spivey, Fortune’s mother, after being informed of the arrest. Although police did not disclose a motive or if DNA evidence played a role, Spivey expressed gratitude. She is seeking information from her daughter’s friends regarding any potential connection to Ratliff. The family is in a state of disbelief and shock. Spivey acknowledged the lack of answers, indicating the need for more clarity.
Fortune, aged 29, was found deceased in the backyard of an abandoned property in Jackson on August 3. The community is still reeling from Fortune’s death, which follows the hanging deaths of two others within a year. These included 21-year-old Trey Reed, a student at Delta State University, and Cory Zukatis, an unhoused man in his 30s. Authorities ruled both deaths as suicides. Reed’s family has requested an independent autopsy and the release of security footage surrounding his death.