Key Facts

• Tasia Fortune, 29, was found hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 3.
• Jarques Ratliff, 51, was arrested and charged with her murder after the death was ruled a homicide.
• Ratliff pleaded not guilty during his first court hearing and was denied bond.
• Police said Ratliff had some type of “association” with Fortune but did not give details or a possible motive.
• Fortune had four children and had experienced homelessness recently while trying to improve her life.
• The death reminded people of past racially motivated lynchings in Mississippi’s history.
• Other nearby hanging deaths in Mississippi were ruled suicides, not homicides.
• Police expect to make more arrests related to this case.