Arrest made over the death of black woman found hanged from tree in Mississippi

September 12, 2026

Police in Jackson, Mississippi have arrested 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff in connection with the death of Tasia Fortune, a Black woman discovered hanging from a tree at an abandoned property in August. Authorities initially provided limited information but announced this week they were investigating the death as a homicide after the medical examiner confirmed it was murder. The case has deeply troubled residents of the majority-Black city due to Mississippi's history of racial lynchings and what families and community members described as slow communication from officials.

Who is affected

Tasia Fortune (the victim)
Christy Spivey (Fortune's mother)
Fortune's stepfather and biological father
Jarques Ratliff, 51 (the arrested suspect)
Residents and community members in Jackson, Mississippi
More than 50 members of the US Congress who expressed concern
At least 15 people interviewed in connection with the case
Additional suspects potentially facing pending arrests

What action is being taken

Police are actively investigating the case
Investigators are following evidence and interviewing suspects
Authorities are pursuing a murder charge against Jarques Ratliff
Police Chief RaShall Brackney and her team are maintaining contact with Fortune's family members

Why it matters

This case is significant because it has raised fears about potential modern-day lynchings in a state with a documented history of racial violence against Black Americans. The discovery of a Black woman hanged from a tree, combined with initial limited communication from authorities, created community shock and concern about whether racial violence was involved. The case is part of a broader pattern that has alarmed federal lawmakers, with more than 50 Congress members citing at least 10 reported hangings of Black people in the US this year alone and over 70 documented lynchings between 2000 and 2025, prompting calls for independent federal investigations.

What's next

Additional arrests are expected as investigators continue following evidence
A murder charge will be filed against Jarques Ratliff
The investigation remains active and ongoing
The FBI and Department of Justice have been asked by Congress members to conduct an independent investigation into deaths of Black Americans found hanging

Read full article from source: BBC