Neighbors, teachers and students want answers in beloved Atlantic Coast High School teacher’s death

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A beloved Atlantic Coast High School teacher was killed over the weekend at her Westside home.

Vivian James was 49 years old and students and parents tell us she was a chemistry teacher.

Members of the Atlantic Coast High School Stingray community say they’re heartbroken over this loss

Neighbors in the Cedar Hills community want to know what happened to James.

Her neighbors, Quan and Chance, told Action News Jax reporter Alicia Tarancon they’ve known her a long time and they can’t believe anyone would hurt her.

“Why would you kill somebody like that? She didn’t do nothing. Like, she was nice,” Quan said.

Chance told us that James was the type of person who was always looking out for everybody who lived in the neighborhood.

Over the weekend, we spoke with students and teachers who knew James well.

They said she was an amazing person, brutally honest, helpful and gave the world’s best hugs.

The Atlantic Coast High School PTSA even posted a tribute video of their beloved teacher dancing and singing.

Teachers started the hashtag #Justice4MsJames because they want to know what happened.

One of her students told me he’s going to miss the energy she brought to the Stingray community.

“Every Friday she would play music in the class and dance to it and have fun – just bring joy to everybody,” Connor Davis told us Sunday.

A friend found James dead in her home on Glen Alan Court in Cedar Hills on Saturday.

Police told Action News Jax she could have been killed up to 48 hours before she was found, but neighbors told Action News Jax they remember seeing her Friday afternoon.

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On Monday, her neighbor Chance decided to clean up all the leaves scattered in her front yard.

"She asked me too, I always helped her, she always wanted me to help out, make sure her yard looks good," Chance said.

Outside of James’ home sits a Crime Stoppers sign.

We reached out and so far there’s been no tips in this investigation.

Anyone with information can call 1-866-865-TIPS (8477)

We’ve been asking police if they’ll be releasing any information on a suspect or suspects in this case or tell us how James died.

Right now, all the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office can tell us is this case is under investigation and if anyone has information to call police.

We did check court records to see if there were any domestic violence cases associated with James, but we didn’t find any.

There will be grief counselors at Atlantic Coast High school next week to help students cope with this loss.

Grieving for slain teacher Grieving for slain teacher

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