Zion William Teasley (22) was arrested on Friday and is facing first-degree murder charges for the suspected killing of 29-year-old hiker Lauren Heike, who was stabbed 15 times in north Phoenix last week.
Teasley was arrested after Police found his DNA on the scene. Cell phone location data and surveillance images from the road also tie him to the murder.
Previously, Teasley was arrested in 2020 and reportedly “charged with third-degree burglary, armed robbery, kidnapping and disorderly conduct charges.” He was released from prison six months ago in November after taking a plea deal where prosecutors dropped ten charges, including serious felonies in exchange for a guilty plea.
According to a report, “Court documents say prosecutors assessed Teasley as a “medium-low” risk to re-offend when cutting him the plea deal.” After the alleged murder, Teasly met with his probation officer according to Court records.
This is what happens when violent criminals are allowed to roam the streets.
AZ Family reports:
Surveillance images from a nearby car dealership on Princess Drive and Scottsdale Road also linked Teasley to last week’s attack on the trail. Court papers also say that Teasley met with his probation officers days after the alleged murder. The Maricopa County Adult Probation Department told Arizona’s Family that meeting notes and information about those visits are kept confidential.
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