JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE 2/10/2020: Zebulon Perkins entered a not guilty plea, according to court records.
Action News Jax has learned a man has now been charged with murder in connection with the death of a Jacksonville high school teacher.
Vivian James, who was a beloved teacher at Atlantic Coast High School, was found dead in her home in Cedar Hills on the morning of Dec. 28.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Brian Kee said the medical examiner determined that James’ cause of death was strangulation.
Zebulon Perkins, 27, is in the Duval County Jail on charges of murder and dealing in stolen property, jail records show.
Perkins has been in custody since Dec. 28.
On that day, investigators found Perkins at the Hospitality Inn on 103rd Street. He had James’ 2007 Toyota Camry with several of her belongings inside of it, including her ID and cellphone.
Police searched the car and found Perkins’ bag, which contained a bloody pair of sweatpants, a camera from James’ home, as well as her three laptops.
Perkins was asked by police if he recognized James’ home and he said he did and that he went to James’ home Dec. 26 to talk about anxiety issues he had been having.
A neighbor tells Action News Jax Perkins lived just a few houses down from James until about three years ago.
Kee said Perkins isn’t really cooperating with investigators and also said there are no other suspects in the case at this point.
“For the students and those that knew her, this is just one step closer to justice,” explains Kaleb Lawrence, a senior at Atlantic Coast High School. He used to be one of Vivian James’ students.
He tells Action News Jax, he’s relieved learning JSO has caught her alleged killer.
Lawrence says the whole thing is still unsettling.
“Why is the question that keeps popping up in my mind. ... You already took her life away why take her things.”
Lawrence says, “It makes me feel like really disgusted because here she is in the comfort of her own home, opening her humble abode up to you to figure out what’s going on with you. And whatever happened it should’ve never escalated to the point where you take someone’s life away, let alone a beloved teacher.”
Atlantic Coast High School posted on their Facebook tonight that there will be celebration of life for Vivian James at the school at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Anyone with any information in the case is asked to contact JSO at (904) 630-0500.
This browser does not support the video element.