HATE HOAX: Hanging murder of Tasia Fortune was staged after she was killed elsewhere over drug dispute: police

Jackson police Det. Samuel Dukes testified on Friday that the hanging of Fortune’s body was “staged,” citing the medical examiner’s opinion. The revelation came during a hearing for Jarquez Ratliff, 51, who is the first person charged in Fortune’s death. A second person was arrested this week in connection with Fortune’s death: 25-year-old Earnest Lloyd Jr., per CBS News.

Fortune had been found hanging from a tree behind a Jackson home on August 3. Officials believe she may have been dead for as many as three days before she was found. Her cause of death has not been released, and authorities have not released why they believe the defendants hanged her body after she was already dead.

Duke testified in the hearing that the motive appears to have been a drug dispute. Ratliff pleaded not guilty. The Friday hearing was to determine whether there was enough evidence to send the case to a grand jury. Ratliff said in the hearing that Fortune had been a friend of his.

Lloyd was arrested on Tuesday and made his initial court appearance on Wednesday morning. Authorities said that Lloyd had been in a physical altercation with Fortune either days or minutes before hear death. Police said that Lloyd had hanged Fortune with a black cable cord.