FILE - In this July 1, 2019, file photo, Ashley Fine speaks during a vigil for Mackenzie Lueck at the university in Salt Lake City. SALT LAKE CITY Family and friends of MacKenzie Lueck are understandably devastated. On Friday, the . Ayoola A. Ajayi acknowledged he planned the death of 23-year-old Mackenzie Lueck, whom he met on a dating app and arranged to meet in a park. Tweet your . Who did MacKenzie meet in North Salt Lake City? You had a heart of . She never arrived or made it to her flight.. . She didnt show up to work, or anything., Incase no one was wondering, my favorite color is black and these are my new favorite jeans. I worked with a family to make their life a little bit easier. Ajayi pleaded guilty earlier this month to aggravated murder and desecration of a corpse in an agreement with prosecutors that removed the possibility of the death penalty. Detectives have spoken with the Lyft driver and learned that MacKenzie was met at Hatch Park by an individual in a vehicle. [21], After murdering Lueck, Ajayi claims he buried her body and some of her belongings in his backyard and threw some of her belongings into the Jordan River. [17] Additionally, prosecutors say photos of Lueck were found on Ajayi's phone. If shes safe and doesnt want to be found, thats OK. The Lyft driver who picked up slain Utah sorority sister Mackenzie Lueck recounted the haunting details of the ride in a new interview. The girls were both members of the University of Utahs Alphi Chi Omega sorority and became each others little and big, KSL reports. I dont know why she would be going (to North Salt Lake) around 2 a.m. Its just very, very suspicious and dangerous, Fine told KSL-TV. Some friends have also said she was heading home for a wedding. They discuss Alex Murdaugh taking the stand in his own defense, a federal judge's ruling that will cut 20 years from R. Kelly's sentence, and prosecutors dropping a gun enhancement charge against Alec Baldwin. The Lueck family had not said much publicly since their daughter's charred remains were found in the summer of 2019 in Ajayi's backyard in Salt Lake City. The university is cooperating with the Salt Lake City Police Department, which is investigating her disappearance. For the next few years, the Lueck family lived a seemingly ordinary life, but that all changed on June 17, 2019, when MacKenzie flew back to Salt Lake City, Utah, after attending her grandmothers funeral. [17] She wrote, Sisters! (She was) very hard-working, very dedicated to her studies.. Michelle Galison, another of Luecks sorority sisters, told the news station the missing student was unforgettable. The murder of Mackenzie Lueck occurred on June 17, 2019. Rest In Peace Mackenzie Michael Gallagher - you will forever remain in our hearts! The more this gets around, the more information we may get. The Lyft driver is the one who described the interaction between Mackenzie and the unidentified individual as pleasant & happy to see each other. Footage of Mackenzie Lueck at Airport Released. [26] The medical examiners office determined that the body was Lueck's. 'She was a kindhearted person that cared about others. SALT LAKE CITY A tech worker pleaded guilty on Wednesday to strangling a Utah college student whose disappearance over a year ago sparked a search that ended with the discovery of her charred remains in his backyard. This information was given to police by a Lyft driver who took Mackenzie from the Salt Lake City International Airport to the park. All of your friends are here., READ NEXT: 26-Year-Old Woman Murdered During Her Lunch Break, MacKenzie Lueck: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Even if youre missing, or you want to disappear, you have to turn your phone on to GPS. Fine said her bank account has also been inactive. Since we took the report on Thursday, detectives have canvassed the area around Hatch Park multiple times to try and locate any video surveillance from businesses or from residences that may have captured anything. We just want to make sure you are safe and will respect your wishes., Doubt said some of the unanswered questions about the case are some of the same ones detectives are trying to find answers for. Furthermore, she is the daughter of her mother Diana Lueck. The family of slain University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck confronted her killer in court more than a year after the 23-year-old's remains were found burned in his backyard. MacKenzie Lueck, a 23-year-old University of Utah student, has been missing since June 17 after she returned to Salt Lake City from her grandmother's funeral in Los Angeles. I provided daily house cleaning, plan and prepare daily dinners and lunches, laundry as needed, and weekly grocery shopping. I will remember her as a ball of light. I will never forgive the monster who took her life. Prosecutors dropped charges of aggravated kidnapping and obstructing justice. Salt Lake City police on Friday arrested and charged a man with the murder of missing University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck. A significant portion of our department has been assigned to work the case, weve been in contact with our federal, state and local partners. On June 8, she posted on Facebook about the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment being passed, giving women the right to vote. Yet, when the time came, she decided that she wanted to attend the University of Utah, 700 miles from home, to study kinesiology and pre-nursing. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-4420. . Noi, Yahoo, facem parte din familia de mrci Yahoo. When they returned to his Salt Lake City home, Ajayi tied her up and began to choke her. In this episode of True Crime Daily The Sidebar Podcast: Marie Pereira joins host Joshua Ritter to break down the biggest cases making headlines across the nation. Lets make our votes count., In another recent post she said, I dont wear makeup for others the same way I dont decorate my house for others. Then she got into a Lyft car at the airport and that was the last she has been seen., Whether shes endangered or not thats a tough thing to say right now. MacKenzie Lueck is a 23-year-old University of Utah student who has been missing since June 17 after she disappeared following a Lyft ride from Salt Lake City International Airport. She was expected to graduate in spring 2020. Police and her family earlier said the text was sent at 1 a.m., but that has been updated. Ajayi planned the killing before the meeting at the park and turned off the video in his home-security system before he left to meet her, Hamilton has said. Ever since MacKenzie's passing was confirmed, the Luecks have lived a private life. She went missing on 17 June 2019. (Not answering the phone) is very, very unusual. According to Ajayi's defense attorney, Lueck had met him on a dating website in 2018. She was expected to graduate in spring 2020. Powered by. When they returned to his Salt Lake City home, Ajayi tied her up and began to choke her. Then, she enrolled at the University of . Her friend, Andrew Bolling, told KTVX-TV, I just have no idea what happened to her, where she is. Some personal items of Lueck also found in the criminals house. and Ayoola A. Ajayi acknowledged he planned the death of 23-year-old Mackenzie Lueck, whom he met on a dating app and arranged to meet in a park. Wolf declined the job. Suspect in Mackenzie Lueck Murder Charged With 19 Counts of Sexual Exploitation of Minors. The search for Lueck went on for nearly two weeks before some of her remains were discovered in Ajayis backyard and he was arrested. According to Begnaud, She put her bag in the car & appeared to be happy to see the driver, when she arrived at Hatch Park. There, they found a red gas can, similar to the one he purchased at 9:00 am June 17. Im a wreck, so PLEASE share. The University of Utah issued a statement about Lueck on June 24: The University of Utah is deeply concerned about the well-being of Mackenzie Kenzie Lueck and her family. Detectives are concerned for Mackenzies welfare. Mackenzie Lueck was a bubbly and jovial student who was a part-time senior at the University of Utah where she was studying Kinesiology and Pre-nursing. Mackenzie Michael Gallagher was born on June 8th, 1997 to parents Pat and Monica Gallagher in New Orleans, Louisiana. Vurbl People: Interviews, Commentary, News . n Politica noastr de confidenialitate i n Politica privind modulele cookie. This was just way too weird, Wolf said. To schedule an appointment, call 801-581-6826 or visit the offices temporary reception area in Room 330 in the Student Services Building. This sentence today will not bring back MacKenzie, she stated. #topshop #topshopjeans #topshopstyle, A post shared by Kenzie (@kenzielueck) on May 14, 2019 at 4:51pm PDT, Her Instagram profile shows photos and pictures typical of a college student. Alpha Chi Omegas University of Utah chapter posted about Luecks death Friday after news of an arrest in the case broke, saying We hope that our Alpha Chi Omega sisters who knew Mackenzie best can find peace and comfort as they reflect on the lasting impact she made on the lives of her family members, friends, and sisters., The governor of Utah also posted his condolences to Luecks family Friday in a Twitter post saying in part, Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Mackenzie Lueck at this very difficult time. Lueck's body was discovered in a canyon about 85 miles from the home of suspect Ayoola Ajayi. He was an information technology worker who had stints with high-profile companies and was briefly in the Army National Guard. Initially we were limited, again as time goes on its going to open some of those avenues up to more investigative tools, the longer shes missing the more opportunity we have to look into those sort of things, Shearer told KSTU-TV. A beloved figure among friends and family, Mack was a kind and compassionate soul who always put others before himself. The driver is, not a suspect at this time, Shearer told the Deseret News. The company said it is assisting in the investigation. Moreover, she used her name Kenzie Lueck. Never have I been so fearful for my life because I know how real evil is in this world.'. CNN affiliate KSTU reported that Luecks uncle read a statement at a press conference Friday on behalf of her family, saying, they are grateful to her community, her friends, and people around the nation who have supported this investigation. He also thanked police and said the family would not be giving interviews. For her not to reach out to me Snapchat, Instagram, anything is very unlike her, Kennedy Stoner, said. When given a chance to speak, he apologized to Lueck's parents in a short statement. I help with organization tasks and projects. CLIP 01/11/23. After all, in July, Ayoola Ajayi was charged with aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, obstruction of justice, and desecration of a body in connection to MacKenzies killing. Having your phone off for five days now, very very bizarre and alarming., Fine told KSL, Shes extremely dedicated. Earlier reports said that she was flying home on July 23, but her family has corrected that to say she was due home again on June 23. Ajayi was allowed to return to campus in 2015 after resolving issues with his visa. She hasnt been to work, home, and missed a school midterm yesterday. While in college, Lueck also worked at Grifols, a plasma donation center, and is currently working at PRA Health Sciences, a lab in Millcreek, Utah, according to her Linkedin profile. Lyft and their driver have cooperated with the investigation, the press release said. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Im not sure you even have anything to look forward to in the afterlife, if you believe in that, Gregory Lueck said. The SLCPD has not discovered any information that would lead us to believe that Mackenzie has been harmed or is in danger at this time. Both of them were the sorority sisters and went to college together. . He said the driver saw Lueck make contact with the other person, but was not sure if the driver saw her get into the other vehicle or leave the park. We have not yet confirmed the make and model of the car or the description of the person, but may release further details once we have verified that information, Assistant Police Chief Tim Doubt said. Ajayi then burned her body and buried it in his backyard, Hamilton said. She took a Lyft rideshare at 2:42 from the airport to a park in North Salt Lake. Salt Lake City police said the man . pic.twitter.com/3BHNdBh3vn, Michael Locklear (@MichaelLocklear) June 24, 2019. 20190628 Mackenzie Lueck's uncle gathers himself before reading a statement from her family during a press conference at the Public Safety Building in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 28, 2019. Department at 801-799-4420. facem parte din familia de mrci Yahoo to her flight.., Louisiana,... Individual as pleasant & happy to see each other the medical examiners determined. Unidentified mackenzie lueck family as pleasant & happy to see each other, Louisiana she is de mrci Yahoo hasnt to! 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