Mississippi Woman Killed Then Her Body Allegedly Staged To Look Like A Lynching As Third Suspect Faces $5 Million Bond

JACKSON, Miss. — A third man has been charged with murder in the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body investigators say was deliberately staged in a tree following her death, creating the appearance of a lynching and initially raising fears that the killing may have been racially motivated.

Eric Derrell Clark, 45, appeared in Jackson Municipal Court Monday after turning himself in to authorities Friday. A judge set his bond at $5 million.

Clark is the third person charged with murder in connection with Fortune’s death. Jarques Ratliff, 51, and Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, were previously arrested and charged with murder. Both were denied bond.

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Fortune’s body was discovered August 3 behind a vacant home in the 500 block of Road of Remembrance in west Jackson. She was found hanging from a tree, and the circumstances surrounding the discovery quickly generated widespread concern and speculation about whether she had been the victim of a racially motivated killing.

Investigators have since said they believe Fortune was already dead before her body was placed in the tree and that the scene was intentionally staged.

During an earlier court hearing, a Jackson Police Department detective testified that investigators believe Fortune was killed following a dispute involving drugs. Authorities have classified her death as a homicide, although the exact cause of death has not been publicly announced.

Police have also said Fortune had a known association with the defendants charged in the case.

The way Fortune’s body was discovered became one of the most disturbing elements of the investigation. Mississippi’s history of racial violence and lynchings immediately intensified concern surrounding the case.

However, investigators have not announced evidence establishing that Fortune was killed because of her race. Instead, police say evidence gathered during the investigation points toward a different motive and that the placement of her body was part of an effort to stage the scene.

Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney has said investigators believe items were deliberately placed at the scene in an apparent attempt to misdirect the investigation.

The investigation also may not end with the three men currently charged.

Police say they anticipate additional arrests and charges as detectives continue working to determine everyone who may have participated in Fortune’s killing or the alleged staging of the scene afterward.

Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, attended Clark’s court appearance Monday. She told reporters that Clark had spoken with her shortly before turning himself in. According to Spivey, Clark told her he was surrendering in connection with her daughter’s murder but did not tell her that he had killed Fortune.

Fortune was a mother of four.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-8477.

Clark, Ratliff and Lloyd are accused of murder. The charges against them are allegations, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.