Black woman found hanging from tree was dead before body was 'staged', police say

Police in the US state of Mississippi have said that they believe a black woman was already dead before her body was "staged" and placed hanging in a tree, US media reports.

The disclosure was made in court by a detective on Friday, who also said they believed Tasia Fortune had been killed in a dispute related to drugs, US media reported.

The 29-year-old's body was found hanging from a tree on the grounds of an abandoned home in Jackson in August.

The discovery sparked widespread fears in the majority-black city, due to the state's deep history of racial violence and lynchings. After weeks of speculation and demands for information, police made multiple arrests.

The BBC has contacted the court, the medical examiner's office and Fortune's mother, Christy Spivey.

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 respond to additional questions about the detective's disclosure in court.

Officials have not stated the exact cause of death or shared why they believe the hanging was staged.

The lack of information about the case had left the community in Jackson, a majority-black city in a state with a history of racial violence and lynching, in shock and fear.

The medical examiner confirmed earlier this month 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 in 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.