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Police: Felon killed Jacksonville music teacher during burglary

A 24-year-old man was arrested after he reportedly admitted to someone that he killed a Jacksonville music teacher during a burglary at her home.

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of Adam Christopher Lawson Jr. on Monday.

Lawson is accused in the death of Deborah Liles, a San Jose Elementary School music teacher who was found dead at her Panama Park home on March 23.

Lawson has a long list of charges in Polk County, including burglary and larceny, dating back to 2010.

Police said Liles' husband found her dead from blunt force trauma.

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The house was ransacked and several electronics and Liles' Buick LaCrosse were missing.

Police found Liles' car behind an abandoned house two days after her body was found.

Officers canvassed the area and found video of her car turning into a mobile home park on Main Street.

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A tip came in that Lawson, who lived at the mobile home park, admitted to someone that he robbed and murdered Liles.

He was arrested near his home on Sunday.

Detectives searched his home and found a pair of shoes with what appeared to be blood on them.

They were sent to forensics for testing.

Lawson was arrested on suspicion of murder, armed burglary, auto theft and possession of a gun by a convicted felon.

Family told Action News Jax that Liles was a victim of a violent attack at her Jacksonville home in 1993 and neighbors said her house had been broken into several times in the past.

Students remember beloved Jacksonville music teacher found dead in her home

JSO update on murder investigation

Adam Lawson, 24, has been arrested in the death of Deborah Liles. WATCH LIVE: One of the updates concerns the murder of a beloved Jacksonville teacher: http://bit.ly/2o1cyeA

Posted by Action News Jax on Monday, April 3, 2017
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