PHOENIX (Scripps News Phoenix) — A grand jury has indicted 22-year-old Zion Teasley on a first-degree murder charge in Maricopa County.
Zion Teasley is charged with the murder of Lauren Heike. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
Teasley is accused of murdering 29-year-old Lauren Heike, whose body was found on April 29 in a Phoenix neighborhood.
On Monday, the office of Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced the grand jury indictment against Teasley for one count of first-degree murder.
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“My heart goes out to the victim’s family and the pain they are experiencing losing their loved one in this manner,” said Mitchell. “Our office will work diligently to seek justice for Lauren and her family.”
Teasley was arrested on May 4 by the Phoenix Police Department after releasing surveillance video showing a man near the area where Heike’s body was found.
Lauren Heike was found stabbed to death in Phoenix and found on April 29. (Phoenix Police Department)
At a previous news conference, Phoenix PD Lieutenant James Hester said he believes Heike fought off her attacker and got away, however, her wounds were too severe. He also said he does not believe Heike was sexually assaulted, but that remains under investigation.
Her injuries were consistent with a pocket knife Teasley was known to carry, police say. Scripps News Phoenix confirmed that Heike was stabbed multiple times.
This story was originally published by KNXV in Phoenix, an E.W. Scripps Company.
