The Murder Of Lauren Heike In Phoenix Leads To The Indictment Of Zion Teasley

An ex-convict has been charged with first-degree murder in the city death of Lauren Heikea woman who was attacked from behind and stabbed 15 times while walking on a desert trail northeast of Phoenix last month, authorities said Monday. The Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office announced the grand jury indictment and said it is reviewing the case to determine whether prosecutors will pursue the death penalty for the 22-year-old. Zion Teasley.

It was not immediately known Monday if Teasley still has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

Phoenix police said the 29-year-old woman’s body was found April 29 near a hiking trail about a half-mile from her home, but she is believed to have been killed the day before.

BREAKING: Phoenix man charged in hiker Lauren Heike’s murder: https://t.co/7V4beeZuBG

— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) May 22, 2023

According to court documents, Heike had defensive wounds on her hands and arms to defend herself from her attacker, and may also have been chased over or through a barbed wire fence.

Homicide investigators believe the attack was random and unprovoked after Teasley allegedly followed her on the trail. But the possible motive for the killing is still unclear.

Teasley was arrested on May 4 after police say they used DNA evidence collected at the scene surveillance video to connect it to the case.

Arizona Department of Corrections records show Teasley served 16 months at a state prison in Eloy for armed robbery and other crimes and was released in November 2020.

“My heart goes out to the victim’s family and the pain they are experiencing losing their loved one in this way,” Maricopa County District Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement. statement. “Our office will work diligently to seek justice for Lauren and her family.”

Heike’s mother described her as “beautiful inside and out”, saying she was a “sweet little girl”. Heike said it is originally from the state of Washingtonhe was new to the area.