MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Suspect in custody after murder of Lauren Heike in Phoenix

May 5, 2023, 8:31 AM

Heike murder...

The family of Lauren Heike is asking for the public's help in solving her murder. (KTAR)

(KTAR)

Update (8:31 a.m.):

Phoenix police have reportedly taken a man into custody in connection with the murder of Lauren Heike, according to KTAR News.

Police say that the man, Zion William Teasley, 22, was taken into custody around 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Investigators used a short surveillance clip from the scene to track Teasley down.

Police said the man who was taken into custody is the same person seen on a video clip released by police earlier this week.

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

There was an outpouring of community support after the victim’s parents spoke on Wednesday.

Original:

The parents of a woman who used to live in the Bremerton area — who was killed in a Phoenix desert area last week — are asking for the public’s help in finding the suspect.

KTAR in Phoenix reported Lauren Heike, 29, was found dead with signs of trauma April 29. Heike’s family is from Kitsap County.

Can you help identify two people found dead in King County?

The Phoenix Police Department said Heike was likely killed Friday while out on a walk. Her body was found the next day.

“Please think if you had seen something, were in that area, if you know of somebody strange or acting weird,” Lana Heike, Lauren’s mother, said in a press conference. “Somebody knows this person.”

Lana said the family checked her phone Friday night for her location, which was pinged close to where she lived, leading them to believe she could have been on a walk in the area where she was murdered.

A short surveillance video released by police Tuesday evening showed a person running from the area.

1 dead, car mangled in crash into home near Spanaway

The suspect is described as someone between 5-foot-8 and 6 feet tall with a backpack.

“I know someone knows something, and they can help us,” Jeff Heike, Lauren’s father, said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Phoenix police at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-948-6377 or 480-837-8446 for Spanish.

KTAR contributed to this story

MyNorthwest News

Image: Brightly colored eggs are set on a table on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington,...

Ted Buehner

Expect good Easter weekend weather for egg hunts, chilly evening Mariners games

Both Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend will feature temperatures warming to around 60 degrees across much of Western Washington.

7 hours ago

Taylor Swift performs onstage during the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour at Lumen Field on July 22, 20...

Micki Gamez, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

Seattle tourism dollars break records following All-Star Week, Taylor Swift

It was a record-setting year for dollars flowing into Seattle from tourists.

8 hours ago

Image: A bridge in Carnation....

Julia Dallas

Carnation frustrated with Seattle again after 8th false emergency alarm induces widespread panic

Carnation citizens have faced a series of panic-inducing alarms after SPU's system for the Tolt Dam falsely sounded eight times.

10 hours ago

Grocery store shopper...

Bill Kaczaraba

Ways to deal with Seattle grocery store sticker shock

Seattle grocery store sticker shock continues to play havoc on locals, but there are ways to counter high prices.

10 hours ago

belltown hellcat social media...

Frank Sumrall

Infamous ‘Belltown Hellcat’ social media influencer charged with reckless driving

The social media influencer has been accused of driving 107 miles per hour through Belltown in a Dodge Hellcat.

11 hours ago

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

14 hours ago

Suspect in custody after murder of Lauren Heike in Phoenix