The Bobster
Senior News Editor since 2004
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Suspect arrested in murder of Lauren Heike, Arizona woman found dead on hiking trail
The man’s capture came five days after Heike’s body was discovered on a trail near her Phoenix home. She appeared to have suffered trauma, authorities previously said.
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Suspect arrested in murder of Lauren Heike, Arizona woman found dead on hiking trail
By
David Propper
May 5, 2023 1:29am
Updated
A suspect was arrested Thursday evening in connection to the murder of Lauren Heike, the Arizona woman found dead along a hiking trail, according to authorities.
The man’s capture came five days after Heike’s body was discovered on a trail near her Phoenix home.
She appeared to have suffered trauma, authorities previously said.
![Lauren Heike was found dead after going hiking on a trail near her Phoenix home. Lauren Heike was found dead after going hiking on a trail near her Phoenix home.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/cdsds.jpg?w=682)
![Authorities say Lauren Heike appeared to have suffered trauma leading to her death. Authorities say Lauren Heike appeared to have suffered trauma leading to her death.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/fvds.jpg?w=682)
Phoenix police said the suspect, in his early 20s, was arrested at his home — about a mile from the trail where Heike, 29, was killed.
Telemundo Arizona captured footage of the man moments after he was arrested that shows him sitting on a curb and at one point lying on his back while handcuffed.
He then is shown being placed inside a police vehicle.
![Telemundo Arizona footage captures police placing handcuffs on the suspect during the arrest. Telemundo Arizona footage captures police placing handcuffs on the suspect during the arrest.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/dscd.png?w=1024)
![Telemundo Arizona footage shows the man moments after he was arrested, as police officers can be seen talking to him. Telemundo Arizona footage shows the man moments after he was arrested, as police officers can be seen talking to him.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/csdcs.png?w=1024)
“With this information, we hope that the community tonight can rest a little easier knowing that this person is off the streets,” police spokesperson Sgt. Melissa Soliz said during a brief Thursday night press conference.
Authorities confirmed the man seen in surveillance footage previously released by the department is the suspect who was nabbed.
![](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/phoenix-woman-hiking-trail-murder-14.jpg?w=1024)
![Investigators in Phoenix are spotted at the scene where Lauren Heike went hiking. Investigators in Phoenix are spotted at the scene where Lauren Heike went hiking.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/phoenix-woman-hiking-trail-murder-19.jpg?w=1024)
He was linked to the slaying through DNA evidence, CBS 5 reported.
It’s unclear if the suspect and victim had any connection.
Phoenix police homicide Lt. James Hester previously said in a Wednesday briefing that Heike was likely attacked from behind, calling the assailant’s behavior “heinous.”