22-Year-Old Felon Nabbed in Murder of Esthetician on Popular Hiking Trail
The man accused of murdering a woman as she hiked a popular trail in Phoenix, Arizona, last week has been identified as a 22-year-old felon who was only released from prison on probation in November—and was reportedly fired recently for “being aggressive toward female employees.”
Zion William Teasley made his first court appearance Friday morning, and a judge ordered him to be held without bail for breaking his probation and allegedly ambushing Lauren Heike, a 29-year-old esthetician (a licensed skin-care technician), from behind on April 29 before fatally stabbing her.
James Hester, a homicide lieutenant, said Friday that the attack was “random” and “without provocation.” He said authorities don’t believe Heike was sexually assaulted, adding that her wounds suggest she fought her attacker and fled, but couldn’t overcome her injuries.