FLORENCE – This afternoon Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler announced that his department, with help from Bessemer Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has affected a arrest in a months-old murder investigation.
Edward Lee Jones – Arrested for murder
Edward Lee Jones, 56, of Bessemer was arrested today and is being held on a $100-thousand bond in connection with the death of a Florence woman, Lula Teresa Addison:
Here is the complete text of the media release:
Ron Tyler – Florence Chief of Police
“On July 29, 2013, Florence Police Officers responded to 400 South Court Street, City Lodge Motel, to a reported deceased person. Upon their arrival a black female was found dead under the bed of a hotel room. A significant amount of evidence was collected at the scene and the female’s body was sent the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy. The results from the autopsy determined that Lula Teresa Addison, 54, of Florence was the victim of strangulation and the case was ruled a Homicide.
Lauderdale County District Attorney – Chris Connolly
Early on in the investigation Eugene Lee Jones, 56, of Bessemer became a person of interest in the case. Mr. Jones was located within hours of the call and interviewed by investigators. He was subsequently arrested on outstanding warrants with Bessemer Police Department as Florence Police Investigators continued their work to determine the circumstances surrounding Addison’s death.
After reviewing hundreds of hours of video and speaking with over 100 individuals it was subsequently found that Jones was involved in a burglary in Florence. Warrants were issued on 10-3-13 and Mr. Jones was located on Friday, October 4, 2013, and transported to Florence. This morning Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Investigators with the Florence Police Department reviewed the evidence in this case. The results of this review have warranted Mr. Jones’ arrest for the Murder of Lula Teresa Addison. Eugene Lee Jones was booked at the Lauderdale County Detention Center and is currently being held for the offense of Murder.”
Lula Teresa Addison
Florence Police Chief Ron Tyler stated, “I cannot express how grateful I am, and our community should be, for our Detectives and Lead Investigator Jerry Pearson and their countless hours of work on this case. Today they brought Ms. Addison’s family one step closer to closure in this tragic situation. The assistance lent to our agency by the FBI was critical in making this arrest and we sincerely appreciate their willingness to assist.”
