PHOENIX, ARIZONA: Zion Teasley, a man from Arizona who has been charged with the murder of Lauren Heike, 29, had allegedly harassed his female colleagues in the past, according to former coworkers. Heike who was brutally stabbed on a walking path outside Phoenix was found dead and Teasley was arrested after DNA evidence and surveillance footage suggested he was on the trail with her around the time of her death.
Court documents reveal that Teasley worked at a sportswear store near the site of the killing. According to investigators, the 22-year-old was fired from the store due to his aggressive behavior towards female colleagues. Additionally, surveillance footage showed him wearing clothes that were suspected to have been stolen from the same store.
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Zion Teasley expresses concern over 'salvation of his soul'
During his first court appearance on Friday, May 5, Teasley reportedly admitted to investigators that he was the man captured on surveillance video following Heike, before retracting his statement. He also allegedly expressed concerns about the "salvation of his soul" due to his thoughts, and described his struggle with his sexuality, despite growing up Christian, as reported by the Independent. "I am definitely not the person who plans to kill another person," he allegedly added, saying, "If I was going to do something like that, it wouldn’t be premeditated."
Teasley had a plane ticket to Detroit at the time of killing
Authorities have stated that at the time of the murder, the 22-year-old had already purchased a plane ticket to Detroit. Teasley had a brief stint in the Marine Corps but failed to complete basic training. In 2020, he was found guilty of armed robbery. Teasley was arrested in 2020 for third-degree burglary, armed robbery, kidnapping, and disorderly conduct charges. In the case, Teasley accepted a plea agreement in which he admitted to robbery, disorderly conduct, and armed robbery. Prosecutors dismissed ten charges, some of which were more serious felonies, in exchange for a plea agreement. Before being freed in November 2022, Teasley had spent 16 months in the Red Rock Correctional Facility in Eloy, as per the source outlet.
Court documents reveal that Heike had been stabbed 15 times after being chased by Teasley on the Reach 11 trail west of Scottsdale Road and Mayo Boulevard, as per Az Family. Teasley appeared at Maricopa County Court after being charged with the murder of Heike, 29, on April 28. Her body was found 24 hours later by first responders.