Jackson police arrested a second suspect and asked federal marshals to find a third in the hanging death of Tasia Fortune.
Story Highlights
- Police arrested a second man in Fortune’s death and announced a search for a third suspect.
- Chief RaShall Brackney said the case is active and more arrests could follow.
- First suspect Jarques Ratliff remains jailed without bond after a murder charge.
- Fortune’s body was found behind an abandoned home on August 3.
Police Announce Second Arrest And Third Suspect Search
Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney said the department took a second person into custody in the death of Tasia Fortune and charged that person with homicide. She said investigators also secured an arrest warrant for a third suspect and asked the United States Marshals Service to help find that person. Brackney said the investigation remains active and that detectives will keep following the evidence in the case.
Reporters identified the second arrested man as Earnest Lloyd Jr., who faces a murder charge, though some outlets listed different ages for him. Police did not release the third suspect’s name. The request for help from the United States Marshals Service signals that officers believe the person may be hard to locate or outside normal reach. Officials said they would share more once the warrant is served and the person is in custody.
What We Know About The Case Timeline
Police said a passerby found Fortune’s body on August 3 behind an abandoned home in Jackson. The state medical examiner ruled her death a homicide, which led detectives to focus on suspects rather than self-harm. Officers arrested the first suspect, Jarques Ratliff, in September. He pleaded not guilty to murder and remains held without bond, according to published reports that cited police and court records.
Brackney announced the second arrest on September 22 and described it as part of a larger probe into Fortune’s killing. She said more arrests could come as the case moves forward and as officers review new leads. Reuters and local television coverage reported that police turned the new warrant over to the United States Marshals Service to speed the search for the third suspect.
Names, Charges, And Areas Of Uncertainty
Outlets identified the second arrestee as Earnest Lloyd Jr., charged with murder, while noting a discrepancy over whether he is 21 or 25 years old. That detail should be clarified once jail and court records are posted. Reports also used both “homicide” and “murder” to describe the charge for the second suspect, without citing a statute number. That difference often appears in early reports before formal filings are made public.
Police have not released the third suspect’s name or alleged role. Brackney said she wanted to give the marshals time to locate the person before sharing the identity. That decision is common in active cases where an early release could tip off a suspect. Public records such as an arrest affidavit, coroner findings, and docket entries would help answer many open questions once they are available through the courts.
Why This Case Resonates Beyond Jackson
This case touches a deeper national concern. When a death is public and emotionally charged, early facts often arrive through briefings and short wire reports. Official documents like warrants, affidavits, and full autopsy reports can lag by days or weeks. That gap can fuel anger on all sides, especially when people feel large systems hide the ball and leave families waiting for answers.
How To Read Developments Without Losing The Thread
Start with the firm items: a body found on August 3, a homicide ruling, one suspect jailed without bond, a second suspect arrested, and a third suspect now sought with federal help. Expect shifts in small details as records post, like a suspect’s exact age or the listed statute. Watch court filings and medical findings for the clearest picture of who did what, when, and how. That is where accountability becomes more than a headline.
Sources:
audacy.com, rmb.reuters.com, abcnews.com, cnn.com
