Police take suspect into custody after woman’s death in Phoenix desert area

PHOENIX — Phoenix police have taken a man into custody that they believe murdered 29-year-old Lauren Heike, authorities said Thursday.

Zion William Teasley, 22, was taken into custody near an apartment complex around 6:30 p.m. near Bell and Scottsdale roads. This was Teasley’s residence, Seargent Melissa Soliz, Phoenix police public affairs bureau, told reporters.

Teasley was booked into Fourth Avenue Jail on one count of first-degree murder.

#Exclusive moment when Phoenix Police take in custody the suspect connected to the homicide of Lauren Heike. @TelemundoAZ will have more info and images at 10PM. @agarcilazonews will be at a press conference PD will be providing later tonight. pic.twitter.com/vI6eUMhyV8

— Christian Villegas (@chrisvillegas29) May 5, 2023

“With this information, we hope the community can rest a little easier knowing this man is off the streets,” Soliz told reporters.

The Phoenix Fire Department declared Heike dead after she was discovered around 10:45 a.m. near 65th Place and Libby Street.

She was discovered with trauma to her body about one mile southeast of Mayo Clinic Hospital and about three miles southeast of Desert Ridge Marketplace.

The suspect was on the loose, but homicide investigators were able to locate a short surveillance clip that was believed to have information revolving around the case, authorities said.

Police said the man in the video was the same man that was taken into custody on Thursday.

The person was described to have a dark complexion.

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