Arizona Man Arrested in Connection With Hiking Trail Murder of Woman Remembered as ‘Beautiful Inside and Out’

Police announced the arrest of a suspect has been made in the killing of an Arizona woman found dead after she was attacked on a hiking trail.

On May 4, the Phoenix Police Department announced the arrest of 22-year-old Zion William Teasley in connection with the murder of 29-year-old Lauren Heike, KNXV-TV reported.

On April 29, the body of Heike was found along a desert-area hiking trail in Phoenix, police said.

At a May3 news conference, Phoenix Police Homicide Lt. James Hester said the victim was likely attacked from behind and had “trauma to her body."

Officials have not confirmed an official cause of death.

Police believe Heike was killed the evening of April 28, but her body wasn’t found until the following morning, officials said.

Lana Heike, Lauren’s mother, was at the news conference and described her daughter as “beautiful inside and out.” She added, “She had such a kind heart, everybody who met her loved her.”

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Police released a short surveillance clip during the investigation showing a man running in the area where Heike’s body was found. Officials have confirmed Teasley is the same man that was seen in the video, according to KNXV.

It is not known at this time if Teasley knew Heike or if the attack was random.