Tasia Fortune Identified as Woman Found Hanging From Tree in Jackson, Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. — Authorities have identified the woman found hanging from a tree behind a vacant home in Jackson, Mississippi, as 29-year-old Tasia Fortune, as questions surrounding her death continue to draw attention locally and nationwide.

Fortune was discovered Monday, August 3, in the 500 block of Road of Remembrance in Jackson. According to authorities, her body was found behind a vacant residence and may have been there for approximately three to four days before being discovered. 

The Jackson Police Department initially announced that officers had located the body of an unidentified Black woman and opened a death investigation. Fortune was later publicly identified by the Hinds County Coroner’s Office after her family was notified.

Her body was transported to the Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy is expected to determine the official cause and manner of death. As of the latest publicly available information, authorities have not announced whether they suspect foul play or suicide. 

Circumstances Spark Calls for Answers

The circumstances surrounding Fortune’s death have generated widespread concern, particularly among members of the Black community.

Images and reports describing a young Black woman found hanging from a tree have inevitably evoked Mississippi’s documented history of racial terror and lynching. However, investigators have not classified Fortune’s death as a lynching or hate crime, making it important to distinguish the concerns surrounding the case from conclusions that have not yet been supported by investigators.

Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes has reportedly asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to assist with the investigation, saying more must be done to determine exactly what happened to Fortune. 

The unusual circumstances and limited information released so far have also fueled intense discussion online, with many people calling for an independent, transparent and thorough investigation.

Family Remembers Tasia

A fundraiser established to assist Fortune’s family with funeral and burial expenses describes the 29-year-old as a strong-minded, big-hearted and vibrant young woman.

Her family has expressed its desire for answers and justice while mourning her death. 

For now, several critical questions remain unanswered — including how Fortune died, how she came to be behind the vacant residence and whether another person was involved.

The Jackson Police Department says the investigation remains active.

Anyone with information regarding the case is being asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1800 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477).