The tragic death of Lauren Heike: Arizona esthetician fought off killer and escaped before dying from 15 stab wounds
PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Lauren Heike, the 29-year-old esthetician who was murdered on a hiking trail in Phoenix on April 28, reportedly fought off her suspected killer Zion William Teasley, as per officials. Cops also said that Heike managed to escape from the scene after being severely stabbed but eventually died from her injuries.
“I believe she fought him off and she was able to get away but her injuries were too severe for her to continue,” Phoenix homicide Lt James Hester said at a press conference, according to the New York Post. He also mentioned that Heike’s escape might be the reason behind first responders taking over 24 hours to locate her body in a wooded area that was difficult to spot from the hiking route.
READ MORE
Lauren Heike: Arizona woman found dead on Phoenix hiking trail, suspect spotted fleeing
Lauren Heike did not know Zion Teasley
Heike was found dead along a hiking trail on 6500 East Libby Street near her Phoenix home on April 29 with signs of “trauma” on her body. Authorities later revealed she was stabbed 15 times from behind after being chased by Teasley on the Reach 11 trail west of Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard, as per AZ Family.
Lt Hester said that Heike was “randomly attacked” and fearlessly fought for her life before collapsing from the stab wounds. He also mentioned that Heike, who was a skin care technician, likely did not know Teasley, a 22-year-old convicted felon and ex-marine. The latter has been accused of stabbing Heike 15 times in the chest and back in a “premeditated” attack.
‘He was quickly located’
Heike’s death was ruled as a homicide after the suspect was spotted fleeing the scene in grainy surveillance footage. The clip sparked a manhunt and Teasley was eventually recognized by a person. Police documents revealed that the suspect admitted his identity from the footage, saying “That’s me,” the New York Post reported.
Lt Hester also mentioned that Teasley was located near the crime scene. “He was quickly located in an apartment not far from the scene,” he shared in a statement. Investigators are probing whether Heike was sexually assaulted but Hester said she was likely not. No motive behind the murder has been discovered by officials so far, he added.
During a court appearance, prosecutors said Teasley was linked to the crime through DNA found on Heike’s shoe as well as cell phone evidence. The suspect was convicted of armed robbery with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct in 2020 and released in November 2022. “Whether the courts treated him fairly or unfairly is not for me to say,” Lt Hester said about Teasley’s release.