Jackson police are continuing an active investigation into the death of 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, whose body was discovered hanging from a tree in the backyard of an abandoned house on Aug. 3. Authorities have not yet confirmed a cause or manner of death, and the case has prompted concern among family members and local leaders.
Scene, investigation and next steps
Officers responded to the property in Jackson where they found a body in the backyard. Hinds County Coroner Jeremiah Howard later identified the deceased as Fortune. The body is currently under the custody of the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death.
Jackson police have described the matter as an active investigation and said they are working "to determine the circumstances surrounding the death." Authorities have not publicly classified the death as suspicious, nor have they named any suspects.
Family statements and community response
Fortune’s family has disputed any suggestion she took her own life. Her mother told national outlets she last saw her daughter on July 26, and said Fortune had traveled to Kentucky for a family reunion prior to her death. Fortune was a mother of four and had lived in Mississippi for more than a decade.
"She did not do this to herself. I know my daughter, and she did not do this to herself," her mother said.
In the days after the discovery, a memorial was placed near the site where her body was found: pink and white decorations, a photograph, pinwheels, flowers and stuffed animals sat amid overgrown grass and scattered trash. The display highlights both the community’s grief and concerns about the abandoned property.
Officials seek further assistance
On Wednesday, Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes sent a letter to U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger requesting federal assistance in the investigation. In his correspondence, Stokes referred to Fortune as a murder victim. City officials have not confirmed a determination of homicide, but the appeal for federal help underscores the family's and council members’ desire for a thorough probe.
During testimony in municipal court last week, a police investigator identified a 65-year-old man as a person of interest who was questioned by investigators in the hours after the body was discovered. Police have not publicly released additional information about that individual or whether charges are expected.
What is known so far
Key verified details released by authorities and family members include the following:
- Date discovered: Aug. 3, when Jackson officers responded to the scene.
- Victim: Tasia Fortune, 29, identified by the Hinds County coroner.
- Autopsy: Completed by the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office to determine cause and manner of death.
- Investigative status: Active; police have not labeled the death suspicious publicly or named suspects.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Discovery | Body found hanging in backyard of abandoned house |
| Identification | Confirmed by Hinds County Coroner Jeremiah Howard |
| Custody of remains | Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office |
| Public appeals | Jackson councilman requested U.S. Attorney assistance |
Local implications and unanswered questions
The discovery has raised questions about safety at neglected properties and how information is shared with grieving families. The presence of an abandoned house, with doors open and debris in the yard, also has drawn attention from neighbors and civic leaders worried about blight and public safety.
Investigators have not released a timeline of Fortune’s movements in the days leading up to her death beyond the family’s statement that she attended a family reunion in Kentucky and was last seen by her mother on July 26. Police say they remain actively working to determine the circumstances.
How the public can help
Authorities often seek tips from the public in cases with limited immediate leads. Anyone with information about the death of Tasia Fortune or who may have seen suspicious activity near the address in early August is asked to contact Jackson police. Officials have not announced a tip line or dedicated contact for this case; callers can reach the Jackson Police Department through its main nonemergency number or the department’s online tip reporting options.
As investigators await autopsy results and consider additional leads, family members say they are looking for answers. The city’s request for federal assistance indicates a push for broader resources to resolve outstanding questions in the case.
WE NEWS will continue to follow developments and report confirmed updates as they become available.
