Police say they have aɼɼested in the mμrder of a woman whose body was discovered on a hiking trail in Phoenix. On Thursday night, a male in his twenties was aɼɼested in Phoenix, according to Sgt—Melissa Soliz of the Phoenix Police Department.
Lauren Heike, 29, was found deἀd on a desert hiking trail in northeast Phoenix less than a week before the aɼɼest was made.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Phoenix Police Homicide Lt. James Hester revealed that Heike was attacked from behind while she was hiking on Friday morning. He will not say what happened to Heike or why she dἰed.
In the early hours of Saturday, cops discovered her deἀd in East Libby Street 6500. On Wednesday, at a press conference, Heike’s mother praised her daughter, calling her “beautiful inside and out.”
Lana Heike said-
“She had such a kind heart; everybody who met her loved her.”
Soliz stated that a short surveillance film released during the inquiry showed the same man who was later aɼɼested.
NEW INFO ON HOMICIDE investigation. Police are hoping someone can help them identify the person in this short video who may have info on a homicide case from 6500 E Libby Street. Anyone with info call police or @SilentwitnessAZ
Original media advisory:https://t.co/8ITIbfihky pic.twitter.com/2vnwY840NC— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) May 3, 2023
The male subject of the video was said to stand between 5’8″ and 6′ in height. He carried a rucksack and was dressed in all black.