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Photographer: Zehmer, John G. (John Granderson), 1942-
Original Description (from Book): This abandoned house retains a very fine cast iron porch. Built on a high basement, the major architectural features are preserved in spite of the houses' [i.e. house's] il](/images/852de70fe7fa4b3f.jpg)
Jackson Police Make Second Arrest In Hanging Death Of Tasia Fortune
Jackson police arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr. late Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, as a second suspect in the hanging death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune.[1]
Lloyd appeared at a brief court hearing in Jackson on Wednesday; he is the second suspect after 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff.[1] Fortune's mother, Christy Spivey, attended the hearing and said she was "ecstatic" about the arrests while stressing the defendants are innocent until proven guilty and offering sympathy to their families.[1] Police said they have issued an arrest warrant for a third, still-unidentified suspect and said they expect to issue additional warrants.[2]
Fortune was found hanging from a tree, a detail that intensified public attention because it recalled Mississippi lynchings.[1] Coverage has also noted separate 2025 hanging deaths of Trey Reed and Cory Zukatis that were later ruled suicides.[1]
Authorities have not suggested a motive and have not said whether they believe race played a role in Fortune's death.[1] The investigation remains active.
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- Jackson police arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr. late Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune.
- Lloyd appeared at a brief court hearing in Jackson on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, and is the second suspect after 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff.
- Fortune's mother, Christy Spivey, attended the hearing and said she was "ecstatic" about the arrests while stressing the defendants are innocent until proven guilty and expressing sympathy for their families.
- Police say they have issued an arrest warrant for a third, still-unidentified suspect and indicated they expect to issue additional warrants.
- Authorities noted that Lloyd and Ratliff, like Fortune, are Black, and police have not suggested a motive or said whether they believe race played a role.
- CBS places the case in broader context, saying the hanging has drawn widespread attention because it recalls lynchings in Mississippi and noting separate 2025 hanging deaths of Trey Reed and Cory Zukatis that were ruled suicides.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS confirms that Jackson police arrested 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr. late Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune.
- Lloyd appeared at a brief court hearing in Jackson on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, and is identified as the second suspect after 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff.
- Fortune's mother, Christy Spivey, attended the hearing and said she was "ecstatic" about the arrests but emphasized that the defendants are innocent until proven guilty and expressed sympathy for their families.
- Police said they have issued an arrest warrant for a third, still-unidentified suspect and indicated they expect to issue additional warrants.
- The article reiterates that both Lloyd and Ratliff, like Fortune, are Black and notes that police have not suggested a motive or said whether they believe race played a role.
- CBS provides broader context that the case has attracted widespread attention because the hanging recalls lynchings in Mississippi and notes separate 2025 hanging deaths of Trey Reed and Cory Zukatis that were ruled suicides.