Zion William Teasley stabbed Lauren Heike 15 times, killing her, police said. (Mug shot: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office; image of Heike: Phoenix Police Department)
Prosecutors said they are seeking the death penalty against a man who stabbed a hiker 15 times in a random, daylight attack, according to Phoenix ABC and CW affiliate KNXV.
The parents of the victim, Lauren Heike, 29, welcomed news of the state’s decision against the defendant, Zion William Teasley, 22, who is charged with first-degree murder.
“We received word late this afternoon that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) has filed a Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty for Lauren’s murder,” Jeff and Lana Heike reportedly said. “Our family supports MCAO’s decision and we are grateful for the work of both MCAO and Phoenix PD. We know that our journey through the criminal justice system is just beginning, but we will be there every step of the way to ensure that Lauren receives justice. As we make our way through our first Christmas season without Lauren, our hearts continue to break over her life being cut short by the violent actions of another. However, we want Lauren to be remembered for the beautiful and kind person that she was. We have hope and find joy in the knowledge that we will someday be reunited with Lauren. We ask for your prayers and for privacy at this time.”
Prosecutors claim it was Teasley seen on surveillance footage walking in the same direction as Lauren Heike on April 28 at the Reach 11 trail in Maricopa County, Arizona.
“Both Lauren and [the suspect] were observed walking towards a trail entrance located at 68th Street and Princess Drive,” police wrote in the probable cause affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime. “Security cameras sparsely covered the trail itself. No one was observed following Lauren prior to entering this trail.”
Minutes later on surveillance footage, Heike was last seen going west on the trail, walking in the direction of where she was found dead. The suspect headed in the same direction, going out of view, authorities said.
“The suspect ran after Lauren and then sprinted away before returning to the location where Lauren’s body was found and climbing over the barbed wire,” cops said.
Heike was found dead in a desert area behind a resident’s home on April 29.
Teasley’s last known employer said that Teasley was recently fired for being aggressive toward female co-workers and he was suspected of stealing merchandise, according to documents. Shown a surveillance picture of the suspect, management identified the person as Teasley and said he was wearing clothes he had stolen from the store.
“Management stated he routinely carried a pocketknife and described it as a black plastic folding knife with an approximate blade size of three inches,” police said. “This blade size is consistent with wounds discovered on Lauren’s body during her autopsy.”
After finding him, police took Teasley to headquarters and showed him a still picture from video surveillance of the suspect in the area of the murder, according to documents. Teasley identified himself as the person in the photograph, officers said. He continued speaking after his Miranda warning, they said.
“Zion stated he would routinely walk the area around his residence but refused to provide his route,” the documents stated. “Zion would only say he would never take the same route.”
Shown a photograph of the suspect, Teasley said, “That’s me,” then said he was not sure if it was him, according to cops.
“Zion was shown a photograph of Lauren,” police wrote. “Zion recognized Lauren from the news and stated he wanted to look like her.”
He claimed to know she was attacked, but he “struggled to admit she was murdered,” police wrote. He could not recall if he ever met her, cops said.
“I am definitely not the person who plans to kill another person,” he allegedly said, when asked if he planned to murder Heike. “If I was going to do something like that, it wouldn’t be premeditated.”
Matt Naham contributed to this report.
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