Lauren Heike was a 29 year old aesthetician from Arizona who loved hiking and outdoor in general. In Late April, 2023, she went hiking alone at her usual hiking spot that is close to her apartment complex in North Phoenix but never made it back home.
The Disturbing Discovery.
Twenty-four hours later, a local resident found Heike’s body while walking their dog in the area. Her husband stated that they knew Lauren because she usually hiked at that spot. Police reported that the body of 29-year-old Lauren Heike was discovered on April 29 in North Phoenix, near Mayo Boulevard and Scottsdale Road.
She was found to have suffered physical injuries which included 15 stab wounds to her torso and some defensive injuries on her arms and forearms according to authorities.
Based on the state of her clothing, investigators believe that the woman may have been pursued and chased over a barbed wire fence during the incident. Her belongings were also discovered scattered along the trail.
After her body was discovered, an extensive investigation was launched by the police which led to the discovery of a surveillance footage that showed a man about 5-6ft and he was wearing dark clothing and a backpack fleeing from the scene of the crime. The police with the permission of her parents released the footage to the public so that people can help them identify the suspect.
The Suspect’s Arrest and Criminal History
Zion William Teasley, aged 22, was identified by his former employer as the man in the footage. He was arrested and has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the case. According to police, the reason behind the attack is still unknown. Lieutenant Hester stated, “While we have not completed our investigation, I currently believe that the assault was random.” DNA, video and cell phone evidence all linked him to the crime, prosecutors allege.
Recent court records provide insight into Teasley’s criminal record, which includes previous charges for robbery, kidnapping, and aggravated assaults with a deadly weapon. These charges originated from a series of seven thefts that repeatedly occurred at two convenience stores between May 15 and July 4, 2020.
According to the court documents, Teasley would often inform the store clerks that he was committing a robbery, leap over the counters, and instruct them to load hundreds of dollars onto Google Play cards. On one occasion, he even pointed a gun at a clerk.
Teasley was apprehended shortly after and ultimately pleaded guilty. As part of a plea agreement, he was incarcerated from July 2021 until November 2022.
Interrogation By The Police
During Teasley’s interrogation with the police, he discussed his Christian faith and the challenges he faced with his sexuality. However, it remains unclear how this could have played a role in the crime.
The probable cause statement cited Teasley as saying, “There’s no freaking way I’m here for a sex crime. I haven’t been with anyone for a long time,” in response to being informed of his arrest.
Teasley allegedly acknowledged recognizing Heike from the news but struggled to confirm whether he had met her in person and if she was murdered.
When questioned if he intended to kill Heike, he replied, “I am definitely not the person who plans to kill another person…If I was going to do something like that, it wouldn’t be premeditated.”
The prosecutor stated that he was released from prison a few months ago. According to authorities, Zion was fired from his job for showing aggression towards female colleagues and was suspected of stealing merchandise.
Teasley’s next expected court appearance is on Tuesday, May 23.
Credits: Vocal Media