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Lauren Heike: Arizona woman found dead on Phoenix hiking trail, suspect spotted fleeing

Lauren Heike's corpse was discovered in a location that was difficult to see from the hiking route

PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Police in Phoenix suspect foul play may have been involved in the death of a woman who was discovered dead along a hiking trail on April 29. They have now released surveillance footage of a person of interest seen rushing close to the crime scene as the investigators now call it homicide. 

Lauren Heike, 29, was found on Saturday after officers responded to a call of an injured person at about 10.30 am along the trail on 6500 East Libby Street near her home, nearly 24 hours after she went out. She was declared dead on the scene and as per Phonex police department, she had received "trauma" in her body. 

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Her corpse was discovered in a location that was difficult to see

Phoenix Homicide Lt James Hester told reporters that Heike was attacked from behind as she hiked and died due to the injuries she suffered. Her corpse was discovered in a location that was difficult to see from the hiking route. Since police have released a video of a person seen nearby the scene of Heike's alleged murder, Hester thinks that the alleged murderer would have stood out to anyone who encountered them on the hiking trail.

“The behavior, in my opinion, was so heinous that I would imagine that the subject would be displaying behavior symptoms that just would look out of place,” Hester said as per the New York Post. Hester described the person as a male between 5-foot-8 and 6 feet tall and wearing a backpack.

'We just want the world to know'

Heike's mother, Lana Heike, praised her daughter for having a loving heart and being beautiful on the inside and out. Lana recalled that her daughter's final moments were spent exercising and going on hikes, two activities she enjoyed. "We just want the world to know what a sweet person she was and what she meant to our family and what a void it leaves for us," Lana said before adding "But we also know in this dark period we will have her memories."

'Our sun rose and set around her'

In a Facebook post Lana added, "Our memories of Lauren’s kind, beautiful heart are comforting us right now. We get peace knowing she was very happy, loving her life, and dreaming of the future she was creating. She loved us and she knew how much we loved her, our sun rose and set around her."

Heike had previously worked as an esthetician

Lauren Heike's family and friends have also urged the public to share information about what happened. "We are begging people to come forward," Lana Heike said as per K5. "We just need help finding whoever did this," said Jeff Heike, Lauren's father. Heike had previously worked as an esthetician for Admire Medical Aesthetics in Washington. 

"It is with a heavy heart that we learned of the passing of Lauren Heike, a former esthetician for Admire Medical Aesthetics. Lauren touched the hearts of many with her kind and sweet nature, and her beloved clients always looked forward to seeing her," the company posted a tribute on its Facebook page.

"We will always remember the laughter and smiles that Lauren brought to each of us. Her warmth and compassion made her not just a great esthetician, but a wonderful human being. It is a true loss to everyone that she has touched. Our condolences go out to Lauren’s family during this difficult time. We hope that they find some comfort in the knowledge that Lauren’s memory will always be cherished by those whose lives she touched," the statement read.