A 25-year-old man from Arizona has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of a 29-year-old woman he described as “what I would want to look like” during a hiking incident.

Zion Teasley, who previously served over a year in prison for armed robbery and other felonies, admitted to stabbing Lauren Heike 15 times on April 28 near a trail close to her home in Phoenix. The victim’s body was discovered on April 29 in the desert area behind a house.

According to court documents obtained by ABC 15, Teasley told police that he killed Heike because she was “what I would want to look like.” At the time of the attack, Teasley was also on probation for prior criminal activity.

Teasley’s diary entries, reviewed by law enforcement, revealed his struggles with gender identity and sexuality. The notes described him as depressed at the sight of beautiful women due to feeling unable to be one of them. He had also been fired from his job for showing aggression toward female coworkers and stole clothing matching the victim’s style.

An autopsy confirmed Heike was stabbed 15 times in the upper body, with one wound measuring 3 inches deep. She exhibited defensive wounds on her hands and arms, suggesting she fought back during the attack. Surveillance footage showed Teasley following Heike along the trail before both disappeared from view.

DNA evidence linked Teasley to one of Heike’s shoes found at the scene. The family of Lauren Heike expressed relief at the plea deal, stating that the defendant will serve a natural life sentence without undergoing trial. They said they will not have to endure a courtroom proceeding or hear “every painful detail” of the crime.

Teasley’s sentencing is scheduled for December 4th.