Officials still investigating death of Tasia Fortune, a Black woman, a day after man’s arrest in relation to killing
Mississippi police said on Saturday they were still investigating the death of Tasia Fortune, a Black woman found hanging from a tree last month, a day after a man was arrested in connection with the killing.
Loved ones also painted a picture of Fortune as a mother, athlete and woman of faith who they hoped would not solely be remembered for her horrific death.
Police sought and found Jarques Ratliff, 51, who is Black, and arrested him when they encountered him walking on the street, authorities said on Friday. Jackson’s police chief, RaShall Brackney, also said on Friday that additional arrests are expected in the case. Ratliff should appear in Jackson municipal court no later than Monday morning, said André de Gruy, Mississippi’s state defender.
Jesus fucking Christ… I’m staying the fuck out of the South… Some places just never change.
The local sheriff: “Wait a minute, this isn’t one that we did. Better take out those damn copycats”
While not completely outside the scope of all things that are possible, the likelihood of a black person lynching another black person is about as remote as a black person lynching themselves. Tasia’s not the only black woman who “hung herself” recently, either. There’s been a spate of lynchings ruled as suicides in the south over the last couple of years. Tonea Nicole Miller was found deceased, hanging from a tree in Miami on June 8th this year. Juliana Umba Nzita was found in Charlotte on May 8th. Also ruled a suicide. Yolna Yubrin was found in Orlando on September 28th, 2023. Gloria Bambo was found in McKinney, TX on July 12, 2020.
I’m sure I’ve missed a bunch of other examples. These are all over the South, so it’s not necessarily a serial killer; could just be widespread, old fashioned racism. Still, lots of young black women found hanging from trees, and all of them initially ruled as suicides.
7 lynchings so far this year. Usually America only has a lynching or two a year, but the magats are feeling themselves now.
https://atlantablackstar.com/2026/08/13/at-least-six-black-people-found-hanging/
Kyle Bassinga — Georgia https://www.cobbcounty.gov/news/statement-investigation-death-kyle-bassinga
Juliana Umba Nzita — North Carolina https://atlantablackstar.com/2026/07/28/family-of-black-charlotte-teen-found-hanging-push-for-more-answers-as-new-records-surface/
To’Nea Nicole Miller — Florida https://atlantablackstar.com/2026/07/01/black-woman-found-hanging-from-tree-near-miami-park-reportedly-sought-help-from-local-organization/
Justice Kai James — Georgia https://www.walb.com/2026/07/20/foul-play-ruled-out-turner-job-corps-student-death-albany-police-say/
Jerard ‘Jay’ Jackson — Michigan https://atlantablackstar.com/2026/07/09/family-of-illinois-man-who-was-found-dead-after-music-festival-suggests-friends-know-something/
Tasia Fortune — Mississippi https://atlantablackstar.com/2026/08/10/person-of-interest-arrested-after-black-woman-found-hanging-behind-vacant-mississippi-home/
Young black man - North Carolina https://abc11.com/post/nc-hanging-death-downtown-raleigh-investigated-suicide-police-say-north-carolina-medical-examiner-taking-case/19692363/
I was amazed that they not just investigated, but also found and apprehended someone for such a crime in Mississippi. But then I found the reason: the suspect is black, too. If he had been white, he would probably just gotten a handshake and a friendly slap on the back.
Ah, the state that I have the unfortunate fact of being born in. The only good news is that Mississipppi is hardly the only state where this shit happens¹.
But it sure happens a lot in Mississippi.
¹ I mean from the standpoint of judging Mississippi as a state. It’s obviously not good news that this shit happens anywhere.
