Black woman found hanging from tree was dead before body was 'staged', US media reports
Tasia Fortune's body was found hanging from a tree on the grounds of an abandoned home in Jackson in August.
Black woman found hanging from tree was dead before body was 'staged', US media reports
Police in Mississippi believe a black woman had already died before her body was "staged" and left hanging in a tree, US media reports say.
That disclosure was made in court on Friday by a detective, who also said they believed Tasia Fortune was killed in a drug-related dispute, US media reported.
The 29-year-old was discovered hanging from a tree on the grounds of an abandoned house in Jackson in August.
The finding triggered widespread alarm in the majority-black city because of the state's long history of racial violence and lynchings. After weeks of speculation and calls for answers, police made several arrests.
In a statement to the BBC on Friday, Jackson Police Chief RaShall Brackney said: "Our language has been consistent...Ms Fortune was found in a hanging position. We have not released any information contrary to that statement."
Brackney did not immediately answer further questions about the detective's court disclosure.
Officials have not said the exact cause of death or explained why they believe the hanging was staged.
The absence of information in the case had left Jackson, a majority-black city in a state with a history of racial violence and lynching, in shock and fear.
Earlier this month, the medical examiner confirmed that Fortune's cause of death was homicide and said there would be a murder charge.
Jarques Ratliff, 51, was arrested and pleaded not guilty. He remains in custody without bond.
A second person, Earnest Lloyd Jr, 25, was arrested in the case this week, while a third was reportedly being sought by authorities.