Phoenix man accused of stabbing woman on hiking trail could face death penalty: report

The man accused of stabbing a woman to death on a Phoenix hiking trail earlier this year will face the death penalty if convicted.

On Friday, the Maricopa County District Attorney's Office filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty for Zion Teasley, 22, of Scottsdale, Arizona, according to the New York Post.

Teasley is accused of stabbing 29-year-old Lauren Heike fifteen times in the back and neck during a fatal ambush attack on a walking trail not far from her apartment in Scottsdale. The incident occurred on the Reach 11 trail near Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard on April 29.

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. His DNA was found on Heike's shoes and cell phone data obtained by authorities linked him to the crime scene. Heike's stab wounds were also consistent with a pocket knife that Teasley was known to carry. Teasley, who uses they/them pronouns, also told authorities that he "wanted to look like" Heike.

In a video released by the Phoenix Police Department requesting help to identify a possible suspect, Sgt. Melissa Soliz confirmed in May that Teasley was the individual in the video.

It was later revealed that Zion Teasley, who uses they/them pronouns, is a repeat violent offender with a long criminal rap sheet.

He was reportedly released from prison in November 2022 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 those 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 in the death of Heike, per the Daily Mail.

Teasley was terminated from a recent job for being "aggressive toward female employees" and was "suspected of stealing merchandise," according to authorities.

The victim's parents, Jeff and Lana, welcomed the prosecutor's decision to seek the death penalty and wrote in a statement: "We know that our journey through the criminal justice system is just beginning, but we will be there every step of the way to ensure that Lauren receives justice."

"As we make our way through our first Christmas season without Lauren, our hearts continue to break over her life being cut short by the violent actions of another. However, we want Lauren to be remembered for the beautiful and kind person that she was. We have hope and find joy in the knowledge that we will someday be reunited with Lauren," they wrote.

Teasley pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been held at the Maricopa County jail without bond since his arrest on May 4.