SCOTTSDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — Sunday, April 28, marks one year since Lauren Heike was killed.
On April 28, 2023, around 10 am, the 29-year-old would leave his apartment and walk on a nearby trail. Her parents said she did this often.
“We’re happy that in her last moments, she loved to exercise. She loved walking. She went out that morning on a beautiful day to do what she does every day. We just want the world to know what a sweet person she was,” said Lana Heike, Lauren’s mom.
Lauren was ambushed and chased from the scenic neighborhood route near Scottsdale Road and Mayo Blvd onto a deserted area of the Reach 11 Trailhead.
Her body would not be found for another 24 hours. Lauren was stabbed 15 times, and defensive wounds show she tried to fight her killer. Unfortunately, her injuries were too severe. Police do not believe she was sexually assaulted.
“She was my little girl. I’m going to miss her terribly. It’s okay honey. I just hope they find whoever did this to her,” said Jeff Heike, Laruen’s father.
After desperate pleas for help from her family almost a week later, police made an arrest.
DNA evidence found on Lauren’s shoe allegedly links 22-year-old Zion Teasley to her murder. Teasley was living with his mother about a mile from where Lauren was found.
He had been released from prison just five months before after being previously charged with third-degree burglary, armed robbery, kidnapping and disorderly conduct.
Just before the murder, he had been fired from working at a nearby shoe store for acting aggressively towards female coworkers.
“Murder cases are always one of the most complex in the criminal justice system. But a random crime with such gratuitous violence, there’s something more going on here,” said Jason Lamm, a criminal defense attorney who is not related to the case.
Lamm says Teasley’s actions are likely indicative of a mental health issue.
After his arrest, court paperwork shows the suspect told officers he wanted to “look like her.”
“People make unusual comments to the police all the time. Sometimes they are faking it and that’s called malingering. In the process of a capital case such as this, experts for both the prosecution and the defense will evaluate the defendant to determine if his statements are reflective of a true mental health disorder,” Lamm said.
In December, The Maricopa County Attorney’s office said they will be seeking the death penalty in this case.
In response, the Heike family released this statement saying in part:
Teasley’s trial is set for October 2025.
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