Arrest made in homicide of Lauren Heike, found dead while hiking in Arizona
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the murder of Lauren Heike, an Arizona woman killed during a solo hike in northeast Phoenix.
May 5, 2023
Authorities have apprehended a suspect in the brutal slaying of Arizona hiker Lauren Heike. The young man was arrested near the Heike residence, according to Sgt. Melissa Soliz of the Phoenix Police Department. Though the individual's identity remains undisclosed, video footage captured him handcuffed and lying on the ground.
Sgt. Soliz expressed hope that the arrest would bring some peace of mind to the local community. The announcement comes less than a week after Heike, 29, was discovered deceased on a desert trail in northeast Phoenix. The victim had been violently ambushed from behind and endured undisclosed 'trauma to her body.' The passersby who found Heike's body reported the grisly scene the following morning.
The grieving family has painted a portrait of a fiercely kind and loving woman, cherished by all who knew her. Heike's mother referred to her daughter as a 'beautiful' person, 'inside and out,' while her father bemoaned the tragic loss of 'my little girl.'
After a days-long search, investigators believe they have captured the suspect from a brief surveillance video. The suspect, reportedly between 5-foot-8 and 6 feet tall, was seen running in the vicinity of the crime scene.