Jackson police arrested 51-year-old Jarques Ratliff on Friday in connection with the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body was discovered hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home on August 3.

Police Chief RaShall Brackney announced the arrest during a Friday news conference. The state medical examiner's office classified the death as a homicide on Thursday evening, which allowed officers to execute previously secured search and arrest warrants. Ratliff was taken into custody while walking on a street in Jackson.

Brackney said Ratliff had an association with Fortune but provided no further details on their relationship. The chief emphasized that the case remains active and that additional arrests are pending.

Fortune, a mother of four, was found in a hanging position in the backyard of a vacant residence in the state capital. Her mother, Christy Spivey, expressed gratitude to investigators upon learning of the arrest but noted the family still seeks more answers.

The arrest follows an intensive investigation that included interviews with nearly 15 people and the collection of forensic evidence. Brackney described the development as significant but not the conclusion of the probe.

Fortune's death occurred less than a year after two other Mississippi men were found hanging from trees in separate incidents. Those cases were ruled suicides by authorities. This investigation has proceeded differently, with officials confirming homicide as the manner of death.

Ratliff did not appear in initial jail records reports, and further court proceedings are expected. Police continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as the inquiry moves ahead.