Suspect arrested in homicide of Lauren Heike — Arizona girl discovered useless on mountaineering path

A suspect was arrested Thursday night in connection to the homicide of Lauren Heike, the Arizona girl found dead along a hiking trail, in response to authorities.

The person’s seize got here 5 days after Heike’s physique was found on a path close to her Phoenix dwelling.

She appeared to have suffered trauma, authorities beforehand mentioned.

Phoenix police mentioned the suspect, in his early 20s, was arrested at his dwelling — a few mile from the path the place Heike, 29, was killed.

Telemundo Arizona captured footage of the person moments after he was arrested that exhibits him sitting on a sidewalk curb and at one level mendacity down on his again whereas handcuffed.

He then is proven being positioned inside a police automobile.

“With this info we hope that the group tonight can relaxation a bit of simpler realizing that this particular person is off the streets,” police spokesperson Sergeant Melissa Soliz mentioned throughout a quick Thursday night time press convention.

Authorities confirmed the person seen in surveillance footage beforehand launched by the division is the suspect who was nabbed.

He was linked to the slaying via DNA proof, CBS 5 reported.

It’s unclear if the suspect and sufferer had any connection.

Phoenix Murder Lt. James Hester beforehand mentioned in a Wednesday briefing that Heike was probably attacked from behind, calling the assailant’s conduct “heinous.”