Arizona man Zion Teasley indicted on first-degree murder for allegedly fatally stabbing hiker Lauren Heike

The man accused of killing Arizona hiker Lauren Heike was indicted on a first-degree murder charge and could face the death penalty, which is still on the table in the high profile case, prosecutors said Monday.

The murder charge against Zion William Teasley, 22, was handed down by a grand jury, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a news release.

The ex-convict was arrested earlier this month after police found Heike’s body near a hiking trail on April 29.

The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said it is still reviewing the case to determine if the death penalty is appropriate should Teasley be found guilty at trial.

“My heart goes out to the victim’s family and the pain they are experiencing losing their loved one in this manner,” Mitchell said in a statement. “Our office will work diligently to seek justice for Lauren and her family.”

The 29-year-old victim was attacked from behind and stabbed 15 times as she walked the desert trail in northeast Phoenix about a half-mile from her home, authorities said.

Heike had defensive wounds on her hands and arms as she fought for her life, court documents indicate.

She may have been chased by the suspect over or through a barbed wire fence.

The attack appeared to be random after Teasley allegedly stalked her on the trail, investigators said.

A possible motive for the frenzied killing remains unclear.

Teasley was captured by authorities on May 4 after police released grainy surveillance video of the suspect walking on the trail around the time of the slaying.

Police believe the killing happened the day before Heike’s body was found.

Teasley had previous run-ins with the law.

He served a 16-month stint in state prison for armed robbery and other felonies before he was released in November 2020, according to corrections department records.

With Post wires