JACKSON, Miss. — The discovery of the body of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune hanging in the backyard of an abandoned house has left family members and neighbors seeking answers as law enforcement continues to investigate.
What investigators have said
Jackson police responded to the property on Aug. 3 and found a body hanging in the backyard, authorities said. Hinds County chief medical examiner investigator Jeremiah Howard later confirmed the identity as Fortune. Her remains are now in the custody of the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office, where officials said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death.
Family and community reaction
A week after the discovery, a makeshift memorial stood in the overgrown yard near where Fortune’s body was found. The informal shrine featured pink and white flowers, rainbow pinwheels, teddy bears and a photograph of Fortune. The otherwise untidy lot was littered with empty chip bags, plastic bottles, a tarp and a foam pad.
"She did not do this to herself," Fortune's mother, Christy Spivey, told ABC News, saying she last saw her daughter on July 26 after a family trip to Kentucky. "I know my daughter, and she did not do this to herself."
Spivey described Fortune as a loving mother of four who had lived in Mississippi for more than a decade. Her remarks have been echoed in the neighborhood, where residents say the death has increased anxiety and calls for a thorough investigation.
Official actions and requests for help
Jackson city leaders have sought outside assistance. City Councilman Kenneth Stokes wrote to Mississippi U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger asking for federal support in the investigation. Police have not publicly stated whether they regard Fortune’s death as suspicious; instead, officials said they are working "to determine the circumstances surrounding the death."
Context and broader concerns
The discovery has alarmed many because it follows two other incidents in the state in which people were found hanging from trees in less than a year. Authorities have not linked those cases to Fortune’s death in any public statement, and investigators are evaluating all available evidence.
- Victim: Tasia Fortune, 29
- Location: Backyard of an abandoned house, Jackson
- Discovery date: Police responded Aug. 3
- Next steps: Body in custody of the Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office; autopsy pending
- Family statement: Mother says Fortune would not have taken her own life
Known timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 26 | Fortune last seen by her mother, according to the family |
| Aug. 3 | Jackson police respond to an abandoned property and find a body hanging in the backyard |
| Aug. 10 (approx.) | Community memorial observed at the scene; body confirmed as Fortune by Hinds County investigator |
What’s next in the probe
Investigators with Jackson police and the state medical examiner are conducting the autopsy and gathering evidence. Authorities have not released details about potential suspects, motive or whether the scene yielded forensic evidence. City leaders have requested federal assistance; it is not yet known whether the U.S. attorney’s office will open a formal inquiry or provide resources.
Neighbors and family members have urged patience as investigators complete the autopsy and pursue leads. Meanwhile, the memorial in the yard has become a focal point for grief and calls for accountability.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor official statements and the autopsy results and will report new information as it becomes available.
