Woman Stabbed And Killed While Hiking, Suspect Reportedly Admits He Wanted To "Look Like Her"
The 22-year-old suspect also told detectives he struggled with his sexuality and feared for his soul’s salvation due to his impure thoughts.
The Phoenix police, on May 4, apprehended 22-year-old Zion William Teasley from Scottsdale, charging him with the murder of Lauren Heike, a 29-year-old employee of Troon North Golf Club. Heike's lifeless body was discovered on April 29 on the Reach 11 trail, in proximity to the Penske Auto Museum, barely a mile from the Windsong Scottsdale Police station.
Although the heinous crime transpired within a stone's throw from the police station, it was technically outside the jurisdiction of the Scottsdale city. A CCTV footage was made public by the Phoenix police on May 2, showing a man running near 6500 E. Libby Street, who later turned out to be Teasley.
Teasley was taken into custody from The Catherine Townhomes, where he resided with his mother, an officer with the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County. His home was in proximity to the trail where Heike's body was found.
Phoenix homicide Lt. James Hester disclosed that Teasley was linked to the murder through DNA, forensic evidence, and cellphone location data, though he did not disclose a motive. Hester further added that Heike had been stabbed 15 times, indicating a brutal attack.
"He followed Lauren onto a trail and, after a short time, attacked her,” Hester said, adding that the murder weapon remains unfound.
Woman Stabbed and Killed While Hiking, Suspect Reportedly Admits He Wanted To "Look Like Her"
The tragic news brought the victim’s family from Seattle to the Valley, who pleaded with the community for assistance in the investigation. "She was my little girl, I miss her terribly,” said Jeff, Heike’s father.
Within 48 hours of the plea, Teasley was behind bars, awaiting a hearing on homicide charges. Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan, recognizing the concerted efforts of the force and the community, lauded Lauren's family for their courage. "This was truly an all-hands-on-deck effort," he said, appreciating the invaluable tips received following the family’s appeal.
Teasley told detectives in an interview that he often went to that hiking area and confirmed that was in fact him in the surveillance footage. He also admitted that he recognized a photo of Heike, adding that he "wanted to look like her." Teasley also spoke about his struggles with sexuality growing up in a Christian home and that he hadn't had sex in a long time.
When detectives asked Teasley if he planned on murdering her, he responded, “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.”