PHOENIX — New criminal charges have been filed against the suspect who is accused of murdering 29-year-old Lauren Heike in north Phoenix last year.
Zion Teasley, 23, is facing a first-degree murder charge for allegedly stabbing Heike to death on a hiking trail near Libby Street and 66th Way in April 2023.
A new criminal complaint filed in Maricopa County Superior Court on July 29 is now charging Teasley with separate offenses that allegedly occurred in January 2020.
The complaint charges Teasley with the felony offenses of aggravated assault with a knife and first-degree burglary in the area of 43rd Avenue and Thunderbird Road in Phoenix, records show.
Before Heike's death, Teasley spent time in an Arizona prison for a disorderly conduct charge that occurred in July 2020. Records show Teasley was released from custody in November 2022.
Shortly after Heike's death, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said she would review the plea deal given to Teasley for that 2020 case.
If convicted of killing Heike, Teasley could face the death penalty.
Editor's Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast.
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What is the Valley?:
“The Valley” is what locals call the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It is considered the largest metropolitan area in the Southwest.
The Valley is made up of various major cities other than Phoenix, including:
- Mesa
- Chandler
- Scottsdale
- Tempe
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Peoria
- Gilbert
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- Avondale
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- Goodyear
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Whether a city is in the “East Valley” or “West Valley” depends on where it is in relation to Phoenix.
The cities of the Valley have a combined population of 4,845,832 people, according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country right behind the Boston and Atlanta areas.