Jackson police arrested a second suspect and moved to find a third in the hanging death of Tasia Fortune.
Story Snapshot
- Police arrested a second man in Fortune’s death and sought a third suspect with a warrant.
- Chief RaShall Brackney said the new arrestee was charged in the homicide.
- First suspect Jarques Ratliff remains jailed without bond after a murder charge.
- The United States Marshals Service was asked to help find the third suspect.
Police Announce Second Arrest And Third Warrant
Jackson, Mississippi police said on September 22 they arrested a second suspect in the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, who was found hanging behind an abandoned home on August 3. Police also said they secured an arrest warrant for a third person and asked the United States Marshals Service to help locate that individual. Police identified the second arrestee as Earnest Lloyd Jr. and said he faces a homicide or murder charge, depending on outlet wording.
Chief RaShall Brackney told reporters the case remains active and that more arrests could follow as investigators “follow the evidence wherever it leads.” She said the department turned the third suspect’s warrant over for service and would not release a name while marshals work to find the person. Outlets reported the second arrest occurred Tuesday, though exact timing and the full charging language were not released in public court filings yet.
Known Suspects And Current Custody Status
Police earlier arrested Jarques Ratliff in September and charged him with murder in connection with Fortune’s death. Ratliff pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond, according to reporting that cites local authorities and court status updates. The second suspect, identified as Earnest Lloyd Jr., was charged as well, with some reports stating murder and others using the term homicide. Reporters have flagged an age discrepancy for Lloyd across outlets, pending confirmation from booking records.
Reporters also noted that police have not named the third suspect. The department asked the United States Marshals Service to assist with the arrest warrant, a step often used when a suspect may be outside the area or hard to locate. Officials described the investigation as ongoing and said more information would be released when it would not hinder the search or the case. Those choices reflect standard practice in active homicide probes where disclosure could affect apprehension.
What The Timeline And Gaps Tell The Public
Fortune’s body was discovered on August 3. The first arrest came in early September, and police announced the second arrest and the warrant for a third person on September 22. That pace is consistent with homicide cases that involve search warrants, lab work, and witness interviews. However, the lack of public charging documents and the age discrepancy for Lloyd highlight why many local cases reach the public in pieces through briefings and wire reports before records post online.
Experts have long said that the United States does not have a fast, complete public system for releasing death-investigation records, which can leave basic facts unclear during key early weeks. That reality frustrates people across the political spectrum who want quick, solid answers when a case touches race, safety, and trust in local government. For now, police say the probe is active, the first suspect remains in jail, a second suspect is charged, and a third is being sought.
Sources:
audacy.com, rmb.reuters.com, 2news.com, cnn.com
