Killer of Phoenix hiker, who told police she was 'what I would want to look like,' pleads guilty
A man who wrote of struggling with his gender identity and sexuality, according to a police report, has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the 2023 stabbing death of Phoenix hiker Lauren Heike, under an agreement that removes the death penalty and calls for a natural life sentence. The man said to police, "That's what I would want to look like."
TL;DR
- A man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the stabbing death of hiker Lauren Heike.
- An agreement in the plea deal removes the death penalty.
- The man faces a sentence of natural life.
- The man reportedly wrote of struggling with gender identity and sexuality.
- According to a police report, the man told police about the victim, "That's what I would want to look like."