Killer murdered beautiful stranger because he was secretly TRANSGENDER and jealous of her looks, prosecutors say
A 24-year-old brutally killed a young woman as she enjoyed a morning hike because he believed he was a transgender woman and was jealous of her beauty, according to police.
Zion Teasley is accused of stabbing 29-year-old Lauren Heike 15 times after stalking her on an Arizona hiking trail in April, 2023. Police narrowed in on him thanks to DNA found in her show at the murder scene.
Police now say Teasley had been writing in his journal about his gender identity in the months leading up to the esthetician's murder, as reported by ABC 15.
'I have been battling with my gender identity and sexuality,' Teasley reportedly wrote in a journal entry.
'I am Christian, so this isn't allowed. I want to live a life of serving god, but how can I with these and other sins in the way. I [know] I am forgiven for my sins. But it's still a lot of pressure and it's hard to maintain a good Christian mindset 24/7.'
Prosecutors also claim Teasley was depressed and wrote alongside a screenshot: 'when I see a beautiful woman and I'm a man.'
Zion Teasley had been writing in his journal about his gender identity in the months before the murder
A camera captured the suspect following Heike, and eventually returning to the area where her body was found before hopping a fence
When policer asked the alleged killer about Heike before his arrest, he reportedly said: 'That's what I would want to look like.'
The alleged killer requested his trial date be pushed back three years and it is now scheduled for January 2027
Meanwhile investigators say they found a picture of Teasley in an outfit similar to what Heike was wearing when she was killed.
A well-placed camera captured the suspect following Heike, and eventually returning to the area where her body was found before hopping a fence. Cops who found Heike previously said she'd been 'chased through or over a barbed wire fence.'
After seeing surveillance footage of the murder suspect, Teasley allegedly replied: 'That's me. I think is it? I don't know.'
When asked the murder was planned, he reportedly told police: 'I'm telling you, if I was gonna do something like that, it definitely wouldn't be premeditated.'
Teasley is an ex-con with a record that goes back to 2020. He was arrested for Heike's murder just five months after finishing a three-year jail sentence for robbery with a deadly weapon.
Teasley - whose laundry list of crimes came after he dropped out of the Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego after just four months - pleaded not guilty to the murder.
A probable cause affidavit later revealed the suspected killer had recently been fired from his job at a nearby sports store for being 'aggressive' to female employees - further bolstering investigators' yet-to-be-proven narrative.
They claim Heike, who was found dead on the Reach 11 trail, was chased over a barbed wire fence as she relentlessly worked to escape her attacker.
Teasley's attorneys are now referring to him as 'her' in court.
The alleged killer requested his trial date be pushed back three years and it is now scheduled for January 2027.
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Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The incredible women fighting to change our lives for the better: The Mail receives hundreds of nominations for the Inspirational Women Awards. Now meet our winners...
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Wales Online
21 hours ago
- Wales Online
Hate graffiti daubed on building due to be converted into mosque
Hate graffiti daubed on building due to be converted into mosque The incident occurred just weeks after a council granted a 30-year lease to the local Muslim Community Association Abergavenny's former library was defaced with graffiti (Image: Gareth Wilde ) A Grade-II listed building that was set to become a Welsh county's first mosque has been defaced with religious symbols and anti-Muslim graffiti in an act that one resident described as "a dark stain on us all". Police are treating the incident as a hate crime. Spray-painted Christian crosses and the words "No Masjid" were discovered on the former Abergavenny library just weeks after the council's Labour-led cabinet agreed to grant a 30-year lease to Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association (MMCA). The group, a not-for-profit organisation, intends to convert the building into the county's first mosque and community centre, serving the needs of Monmouthshire's growing and diverse Muslim population. The incident has been widely condemned by local residents and faith leaders as a shocking display of religious intolerance in a town known for its history of peaceful dissent and diversity. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here. The building, located in the town centre, has been out of use as a library since 2015 after services were moved to Abergavenny Town Hall. Since then it has housed several council-run services including adult education and most recently the pupil referral unit (PRU) for children unable to attend mainstream education. Article continues below The PRU has now relocated to new premises at Old Hereford Road leaving the building vacant once again. In May the council awarded the lease to MMCA citing the association's clear demonstration of local need. Abergavenny has the highest number of Muslims in Monmouthshire, which currently has no mosques. In contrast Cardiff has 24 mosques while Newport has eight and Swansea has seven. The former Abergavenny library building was set to become Monmouthshire's first mosque (Image: Google ) Since 2021 MMCA has been holding Friday congregational prayers at St Michael's Community Centre with the support of trustees from Our Lady and St Michael's parish. Their presence has grown steadily and they have also collaborated with schools and youth groups to promote interfaith understanding. Andrew Lewis, a local resident, welcomed their work and said: "The Muslim community locally have been doing some great community events. "I can only see that increasing with having their own dedicated community space. We have had them talking with Scouts as part of the World Faiths badge and I went to a Ramadan celebration and education evening at Crickhowell High School." Although the cabinet decision was approved, three councillors called in the lease agreement for review following concerns raised members of the community. The review meeting was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 11, at Monmouthshire County Hall in Usk. The vandalism, which occurred just a day before that review, has triggered anger and soul-searching in the community. "I am disgusted at the vandals who have used a precious Christian symbol to object to a former library being used for Muslims to worship in our town," said Reverend Gareth Wilde, an accredited Baptist minister. "Abergavenny has a rich, peaceful history of non-conformist dissent from the 17th century where its adherents fought for religious freedom for those who didn't follow the established Church of England. "These would include Baptists, Congregationalists, Presbyterian and various other chapel-attending congregations. "Muslims are only asking to be treated with the same equality and respect and if anything should be prioritised above Christian churches wishing to use a community facility. "As an accredited Baptist minister I wholeheartedly agree with the MCC decision to let the Carnegie Library to Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association. Please be kind to Muslims in Wales." Another saddened resident said: "Never thought I'd see this in Abergavenny. A very sad day. We need to respect and understand everyone's beliefs and peacefully coexist in a society that has so much freedom." One local added: "I always thought that Abergavenny was a tolerant caring community and hopefully this abhorrent graffiti was perpetrated by some hateful person outside of our community. It remains a dark stain on us all. "This is no different from the religious persecution shown by the Nazis to the Jewish communities in the 1930s. Previous generations made a supreme sacrifice to overcome this kind of inhumanity. "It saddens me that the gross transgressions of the past are rearing their ugly head again." In response to the incident a sign has been placed over the graffiti reading: "What unites us is big + beautiful, what divides us is small + MEAN!" A Gwent Police spokesman said: 'We received a call at about 8.45am on Tuesday, June 10, reporting criminal damage after graffiti had been sprayed on the old library in Abergavenny overnight. 'This has now been cleaned off and we are treating it as a hate crime.' Inspector Emma Sowrey said: 'We have been carrying out onquiries to identify those responsible including house-to-house and reviewing CCTV. So far we've been able to establish that the damage happened at about 3am on June 10. 'I understand the concern that may be felt amongst our communities following this appalling incident which we are treating as a hate crime. 'We will not tolerate any such behaviour and are determined to identify the offenders and bring them to justice.' Anyone with any information is asked to call Gwent Police on 101 quoting 2500182567. You can also send a direct message on Facebook or X or online here. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit Article continues below Monmouthshire County Council has been approached for comment.
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Abergavenny mosque site vandalised by racist graffiti
Plans to turn a former Gwent library into a mosque have been met with support when the Argus went to canvas opinion, but some, including local Senedd member Laura-Anne Jones, have questioned the plan. The old Abergavenny library on Baker Street has been unused since 2015 after the library was relocated to the Town Hall. In May, Monmouthshire council agreed to grant a 30-year lease to the Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association who plan to use the building as a mosque. This would be the county's first mosque. The former Abergavenny library which could be a mosque covered in racist graffiti (Image: NQ) Sadly overnight (June 10) the site was the target of racist graffiti. Written in Arabic the word 'masjid' meaning mosque appeared next to the word 'no.' Also graffitied were crosses symbolic of the Christian faith. When the Argus spoke to locals in Abergavenny, they were upset and angered by the vandalism. Francis Buxton 83 and Caroline Lewis 81 next to the racist graffiti in Abergavenny. (Image: NQ) 83-year-old local Francis Buxton is a Christian. When asked about the painted crosses Francis said the following. 'I deplore the fact there's a cross there as if it's supporting this protest and I do hope there can be some statement from the local Christian churches, to say we stand alongside the Muslims and support them in having a regular prayer place.' 32-year-old Jenny McConnel next to the racist graffiti in Abergavenny. (Image: NQ) Reacting to the graffiti 32-year-old Jenny McConnel said: 'I just feel really upset and it's basically on my doorstep that people would oppose a peaceful place for people to worship it's just really upsetting.' 24-year-old Ebony Metcalf next to the racist graffiti in Abergavenny. (Image: NQ) 24-year-old Ebony Metcalf is new to Abergavenny. She said: 'I only moved here in November, and I thought it was a lovely community and all this sudden hatred it's just disgusting. 'Vandalising a building. I don't understand it it's hateful for no reason.' 62-year-old Hayley Ward shared her thoughts on a new mosque in Abergavenny. (Image: NQ) When asked about the idea of the mosque taking over the former library, 62-year-old Hayley Ward said: 'Well, it is different, but I think it's important to encourage and allow all sorts of diversity it's important we are all equal I think it's only fair and right that there should be access to all sorts of cultures in Abergavenny.' Catherine Evans 67 and Anne Jenkins 90 shared their thoughts on a new mosque in Abergavenny. (Image: NQ) 67-year-old Catherine Evans 67 and mother 90-year-old Anne Jenkins also supported the idea of a new religious site. Catherine said: 'I think it's great I think we should be inclusive it's somewhere for the Islamic community to be able to worship instead of having to travel long distances. 'I think we should be embracing multiculturalism. That's what it's about isn't it?' Catherine commented why some people may be against the mosque. 'In this world people have got different opinions and some people are more right wing than left wing.' Joshua Jones 35 and Stephen Hopkins 54 shared their thoughts on a new mosque in Abergavenny. (Image: NQ) 35-year-old Joshua Jones 54-year-old Stephen Hopkins were also in favour of a new mosque. Stephen said: 'It's brilliant I haven't heard of it but it's good.' 'Another religious site is good it's a good idea.' Joshua added: 'I think it's great to have that in the community. 'I think everyone has the right to practise their religion. What they believe in is up to them.' 43-year-old Dylan Roberts shared his thoughts on a new mosque in Abergavenny. (Image: NQ) 43-year-old Dylan Roberts had the following to say: 'I've got no issue with it I think its fine people need a place to worship. 'I think there's a lot of sentiment in the country a lot of it aimed by Muslims and I think a lot of scepticism comes from that.' 65-year-old Sue Holden shared her thoughts on a new mosque in Abergavenny. (Image: NQ) 65-year-old Sue Holden said: 'It's good the building isn't standing derelict and that it's in use and there is a need for a Mosque.' 31-year-old Jordie Le Bowen shared his thoughts on a new mosque in Abergavenny (Image: NQ) 31-year-old Jordie Le Bowen said: 'Wonderful, it's more inclusive in terms of libraries going there's a hell of a lot of online resources going. 'So, we don't have to worry about that being an issue in my opinion.' The plan was given approval by Monmouthshire Council last week but the decision was called in, meaning further discussion will take place. A meeting is due to take place on Wednesday, June 11, to discuss the plans.
