Esthetician Found Murdered on Hiking Trail Was ‘Viciously’ Attacked From Behind, Cops Say

Arizona police provided more information Wednesday about a woman who was found dead on a hiking trail on Saturday.

AZ Family reported that investigators believe Lauren Heike, 29, was killed a day before her body was discovered on Reach 11 trail in Phoenix, which is near her apartment. Investigators also speculated that it took a day to locate her body because it was in an area that is not typically visible from the trail.

Phoenix police — who believe Heike was attacked from behind — released surveillance video which potentially shows a person of interest in this case, as CrimeOnline previously reported. Phoenix police Lieutenant James Hester described him as a thin man with a dark complexion who is between 5′8″ to 6′ tall. He was apparently wearing a gray or lighter-colored shirt, dark pants, and a backpack.

“The behavior, in my opinion, was so heinous that I would imagine that the subject would be displaying behavior symptoms that just would look out of place,” Hester commented, according to KNXV.

Investigators were reportedly at the crime scene on Wednesday. Meanwhile, police have advised citizens not to hike the trail alone and to report any suspicious activity.

Police have not disclosed what weapons, if any, were used in Heike’s slaying, citing an ongoing investigation. A $2,000 reward is being offered for any information in this case.

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[Featured image: Lauren Heike/Facebook]