Suspect in Phoenix stabbing murder of Lauren Heike previously charged with armed robbery, kidnapping

The Phoenix authorities have released details about the suspect linked to the murder of 29-year-old Lauren Heike, who was reportedly stabbed multiple times during a walk not far from her apartment in Scottsdale. The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Zion Williams Teasley, per AZ Family.

Investigators stated that Teasley had been arrested and taken into custody late Thursday afternoon, near Scottsdale and Bell roads, less than a mile from where Heike’s body was discovered.

Teasley was tracked down by the discovery of DNA at the scene of the crime, and prosecutors noted that the suspect had demonstrated “premeditations” in the alleged murder. Teasley was also revealed to be a flight risk, as he apparently had a plane ticket that was to take him to Detroit, Michigan.

Sgt. Melissa Soliz confirmed that Teasley was the individual seen running in the video clip that was released by the authorities earlier this week, saying: “Right now, he is the person that we believe to be responsible or in connection to the murder of Lauren Heike.” However, Soliz did not specify if there was any previous connection between Teasley and Heike.

“Our detectives are going to ensure that every piece of evidence is looked at carefully, every angle and give their full effort on this case,” she added. 

“We’re hoping that the community can rest a little easier knowing this person is off the streets.”

The report indicated that investigators understand Heike to have been walking on the Reach 11 trail near Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard before she was attacked from behind, and killed soon after. Her body was not found until Saturday morning, as it was apparently not visible from the trail.

However, this is not Teasley’s first run-in with the authorities. He was reportedly released from prison in November after being sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to robbery with a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct, robbery, and ten other charges back in June 2020. But ten of the charges, which included kidnapping, were dropped by prosecutors in exchange for a plea deal. Now, he is being charged with violating his probation, as well as first-degree murder, per the Daily Mail.

Ten charges, several of which were more serious felonies, were dropped by prosecutors in exchange for that plea deal. Teasley had served 16 months in the Red Rock Correctional Facility in Eloy before being released in November

Teasley is currently being held, without bond, at the Maricopa County jail. If he is found guilty of the charges, he could face the death penalty.