Ex-convict charged with 1st-degree murder in death of woman on desert trail

The Associated Press//May 22, 2023

first-degree murder, trail, Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Zion William Teasley

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced on May 22, 2023 that 22-year-old Zion William Teasley has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of 29-year-old Lauren Heike, who was discovered near a hiking trail in northeast Phoenix last month. (Photo by Deposit Photos)

The Associated Press//May 22, 2023

PHOENIX (AP) — An ex-convict has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of a woman who was attacked from behind and stabbed 15 times while walking on a desert trail in northeast Phoenix last month, authorities said Monday.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced the grand jury indictment and said it is reviewing the case to determine if prosecutors will pursue the death penalty for 22-year-old Zion William Teasley.

first-degree murder, trail, Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Zion William Teasley, Lauren Heike, stabbings — Phoenix police say Lauren Heike, pictured here, was stabbed to death while hiking on a desert trail. (Photo courtesy of Alexis Cortez via Facebook)

It wasn’t immediately known Monday if Teasley has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf.

Phoenix police said the body of 29-year-old Lauren Heike was found April 29 near a hiking trail about a half-mile from her home, but it’s believed she was killed the day before.

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

Homicide investigators believe the attack was random and without provocation after Teasley allegedly followed her on the trail. But a possible motive for the murder remains unclear.

Teasley was arrested May 4 after police said they used DNA evidence collected at the scene plus surveillance video to connect him to the case.

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