Lawrence Boyle is charged with the murder of Sierra Jamison and expected to appear in court Friday.
Jamison's mother found her about 7:30 p.m. in a garage outside the home she had been renting in the 7800-block of South Indiana Avenue, which she shared with her 6-year-old son.
Her mother said her daughter had just celebrated her 30th birthday and was working as a phlebotomist.
She was ambitious, and about to start nursing school, her family said.
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Jamison's mother said she was renting the home from a former co-worker and was looking to move.
Jamison's family was in the home Monday evening, but she never made it in the house.
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