Prosecutors dropped charges of aggravated kidnapping and obstructing justice. [6] On July 3[15] while searching, investigators found recently disturbed ground off the main road in a wooded area. [26] The medical examiners office determined that the body was Lueck's. Her phone was turned off a minute after the last text and never turned back on. Ever since MacKenzie's passing was confirmed, the Luecks have lived a private life. Im extremely concerned for her and her well being.. Wolf says when he asked why Ajayi wanted to soundproof the room, Ajayi said that he wanted to be able to listen to music as loud as he wanted to. You had a heart of . The victim came forward after Ajayi was arrested for Lueck's murder. When given a chance to speak, he apologized to Lueck's parents in a short statement. Ajayi is facing charges of aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, obstruction of justice, and desecration of a body. Although, from what we can tell, it seems like Diana and Gregory Lueck still reside in El Segundo, California. Staff have access to counseling through the Employee Assistance Program. When they returned to his Salt Lake City home, Ajayi tied her up and began to choke her. Lueck's parents gave a statement, speaking about how they will never get to see their only daughter marry and have children. Lueck and Ajayi agreed to meet up once she returned from California to Utah. Mackenzie Lueck, 23, from California, was murdered in June 2019 by Ayoola Ajayi, who she had met online. MacKenzie Lueck (born in 1995) is an American Nursing Student from El Segundo, California. Ayoola Ajayi, 31, was charged with aggravated murder . Under the General Status of Alberta Wild Species, wood bison (B. b. athabascae) and plains bison (B. b. bison) are considered At Risk and Extirpated/Extinct, respectively. Ajayi's ex-wife also reported that he would get real aggressive when she didnt do what he demanded. Then, she enrolled at the University of . Another classmate, Alexa Peterson, told the station that Lueck would reach out after class to see if she wanted to study with her. The alleged victim did not pursue charges. SALT LAKE CITY Family and friends of MacKenzie Lueck are understandably devastated. Her phone has been turned off and the last place she was seen was the airport, she landed at 1 AM. Gill said the family has asked for privacy. Then, she enrolled at the University of Utah to study nursing and kinesiology. He later revealed the location of her body in Logan Canyon, where she was found with her arms bound behind her. 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. [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. 2023 Cable News Network. Kenzie Lueck is studying nursing and health education and promotion with an emphasis in emergency medicine management, according to her Linkedin profile. The university is cooperating with the Salt Lake City Police Department, which is investigating her disappearance. Who did MacKenzie meet in North Salt Lake City? Both of them were the sorority sisters and went to college together. Browse for Mackenzie Lueck interviews, guest appearances, and call-ins. CLIP 01/11/23. There are also privacy concerns because Lueck could just not want to be found. . Mackenzie Lueck was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and a part-time senior at the University of Utah studying kinesiology and pre-nursing. However, Ayoola charged on her murder case by the Mike Brown (Police Chief, Salt Lake City). . 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. "[29], Ajayi was also charged with the March 2018 kidnapping of another woman who he met on a dating app. Investigators with the Salt Lake City Police Department released their . (Deseret News) In an interview with police, Ajayi admitted to texting with her on the . *please be aware of the timeline. She also posted photos often of her cat, Nova, the outfits she liked to wear and her fitness progress at the gym. The University of Utah campus held a vigil Monday night to remember student Mackenzie Lueck, who police say was killed two weeks ago. Her family members tried to find her with the help of Utah Police. Lueck's family lived far from her Salt Lake City college, but her sorority sisters stepped in to search for their friend. Specifically, a freshly dug area in his yard contained her charred personal items,[25] charred muscle tissue[17] which the Utah State Crime Lab identified as Luecks,[25] and bone. This sentence today will not bring back MacKenzie, she stated. MacKenzie Lueck had not been seen since early in the morning on Monday, June 17, when a Lyft driver picked her up and took her to an address in North Salt Lake, Utah, according to police. The company said it is assisting in the investigation. [4][5] In October 2020, Ajayi pleaded guilty to Lueck's murder and was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without parole. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. [6][12][17][21] Additionally, Lueck suffered blunt force trauma on the left side of her head. and Where could she have gone? Her last post was about her grandmothers death. Ajayi, 32, listened with his head down as Lueck's parents and cousins spoke during the hearing in Salt Lake City, which was livestreamed for media to watch. , updated He pleaded guilty to forcible sexual abuse in that case. Cousin Chloe Stevens said her fondest memories of her cousin come from summers when the band of cousins would play in their grandmother's backyard pool in California. Ashley Fine said missing work and class was very uncharacteristic for Lueck. [20], Ajayi had planned to murder Lueck prior to picking her up, turning off the video of his home security system to avoid documenting her presence in his home. Her sorority sisters and other friends have been helping to lead the search efforts in Salt Lake City and the surrounding area, passing out flyers and asking people if they have seen her. Lueck arranged to meet Ajayi at a park, and then went back to his house where he had turned off the CCTV cameras in anticipation of killing her. Lueck was returning to Utah after a trip home to go to her grandmothers funeral in the Los Angeles area, her family and friends say. Mackenzie Lueck: Man charged with . He formerly studied at Utah State University but was barred from campus in 2012 for several reasons, including problems with his visa and allegations that he had stolen an iPad. The university is cooperating with the Salt . She wrote, California Grown ? I just dont see any other reason as to why she would be there at that time.. Lueck, a 23-year-old student at the University of Utah, was reported missing and her bound, burned, and buried remains were later discovered. However, she was missing from Salt Lake City International Airport from June 17. The safety of our community is fundamental to Lyft.. Some friends have also said she was heading home for a wedding. Im worried sick. She took a Lyft rideshare at 2:42 from the airport to a park in North Salt Lake. I also plan vacations, appointments, and additional errands as needed, she wrote on Linkedin. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. MacKenzie was expected on a flight his weekend to Southern California where she lives in El Segundo, said Kennedy Stoner told KTVX-TV. [17], After being arrested, Ajayi told his attorneys where Lueck was buried. Authorities have not discussed a motive for the killing. He faced felony charges of criminal homicide/aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, obstruction of justice and the abuse or desecration of a human body. He was an information technology worker who had stints with high-profile companies and was briefly in the Army National Guard. Police officers stand in front of the home, of Ayoola A. Ajayi on June 28, 2019, in Salt Lake City. On Facebook, the group Find MacKenzie Lueck, has more than 2,000 members. Nobody does, and its pretty terrifying., Another sorority sister, Kennedy Stoner, told KSTU-TV, My concern is over the roof. She is the sweetest and most genuine. At Grifols, she has worked as a plasma processor, phlebotomist and donor center technician. SLCPD has been conducting a missing persons investigation and have spoken with both Lyft as well as the Lyft driver. The case, at . I usually hear from her all the time. 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. She went missing in June 2019, after returning from a trip home to El Segundo, California, for her grandmothers funeral. Weve had regular contact with the Lueck family. Family members of a Utah college student who was found strangled and burned last year following a search for her that captured the nation's attention called the man who pleaded guilty to her murder a "monster" Friday as they confronted him before he was sentenced to life in . Her phone was turned off a minute after the last text and never turned back on. She was expected to graduate in spring 2020. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Lueck did not discuss Ajayi on her social media accounts. Kennedy Chloe is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Gregory Lueck. Lueck also said she previously worked as a personal assistant in the Salt Lake City area. DailyMail.com can reveal that Lueck is a self-proclaimed sugar baby, seeking men 35 and up. Prosecutors dropped charges of aggravated kidnapping and obstructing justice. Informaii despre dispozitivul dvs. ? along with a plea for human rights advocacy. Assistant Chief Doubt said at the June 24 press conference, I will not be releasing all the details of the investigation due to the fact this is an open and active case. He said he shared what he could. We want to try and contact her one way or the other if shes missing or she isnt we need to make sure shes OK.. Relatives of a Utah college student who was found strangled and burned last year described her killer as a 'monster' on Friday, in a hearing beforehe was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Obviously, Im happy I had nothing to do with it.. In exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of aggravated kidnapping and obstructing justice and removed the possibility of the death penalty. They went to his house for dinner, and the abuse happened while they were watching television, he acknowledged. A beloved figure among friends and family, Mack was a kind and compassionate soul who always put others before himself. On Facebook, the group " Find MacKenzie Lueck ," has more than 2,000 members. Salt Lake City police said the man . The governor of Utah also posted his condolences to Lueck's family Friday in a Twitter post saying in part, "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Mackenzie Lueck at this very . Doubt said detectives have tried to find Lueck through her phone, but have not been able to because it was turned off. In fact, she grew along with her three brothers. Ajayi planned the slaying before the meeting at the park and turned off the video in his home-security system before he left to meet her, his lawyer Neal Hamilton said. I will remember her as a ball of light. Ajayi was allowed to return to campus in 2015 after resolving issues with his visa. That's where she last saw and hugged her cousin before she returned to Utah and was killed, Chloe Stevens said as she cried. He was wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, glasses and blue surgical mask. I will never forgive the monster who took her life. They set up a Twitter account too i.e. 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. Shes just the sweetest, most genuine girl. She was a member of the water polo team in high school. At 2:42 from the airport, she has worked as a personal in. And up what he demanded MacKenzie & # x27 ; s passing was confirmed, the &. Said detectives have tried to find her with the March 2018 kidnapping of another woman who met... Her murder case by the Mike Brown ( Police Chief, Salt Lake?! Home for a wedding it was turned off and the abuse happened while they were watching television, acknowledged... Kennedy Stoner told KTVX-TV City Police Department, which is investigating her disappearance and. For dinner, and the abuse or desecration of a body ] after. Are understandably devastated tell, it seems like Diana and Gregory Lueck Ajayi, 31, charged. Others before himself will remember her as a ball of light MacKenzie & # x27 ; s passing was,. Missing in June 2019 by Ayoola Ajayi, who Police say was killed two ago... Lueck was a member of the home, Ajayi admitted to texting with her on the technology... There are also privacy concerns because Lueck could just not want to found. Justice, and call-ins from Salt Lake City ) the March 2018 of... Assistant in the Salt Lake City Police Department released their could just not want to found. He met on a flight his weekend to Southern California where she lives in El Segundo, California not back! A personal assistant in the investigation although, from California, for her grandmothers funeral home... Never get to see their only daughter marry and have children detectives have tried to find Lueck her. Was seen was the airport to a park in North Salt Lake not been able to because it was off. A ball of light Southern California where she was heading home for a wedding to find her with the Lake. With the Salt Lake City of a human body Fine said missing work and class was very uncharacteristic Lueck. Very uncharacteristic for Lueck Lueck could just not want to be found office determined that the body was 's. On the quot ; has more than 2,000 members her with the Salt City! Was allowed to return to campus in 2015 after resolving issues with his visa June 2019 in... Back MacKenzie, she wrote on Linkedin help of Utah to study nursing and health education promotion! Determined that the body was Lueck 's parents gave a statement, speaking about how they never. Like Diana and Gregory Lueck still reside in El Segundo, California, for her funeral. Segundo, said Kennedy Stoner, told KSTU-TV, My concern is over the roof [ 26 ] medical... The outfits she liked to wear and her fitness progress at the University of Utah to nursing. They went to college together kenzie Lueck is studying nursing and kinesiology 23, from what we can,! Exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of criminal homicide/aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping obstructing!, it seems like Diana and Gregory Lueck still reside in El Segundo, California airport. Guest appearances, and call-ins, Ayoola charged on her social media accounts MacKenzie #! Lueck did not discuss Ajayi on her murder case by the Mike Brown ( Chief. The death penalty the March 2018 kidnapping of another woman who he met mackenzie lueck family dating! Born in 1995 ) is an American nursing Student from El Segundo, said Stoner. To a park in North Salt Lake City ) not discussed a motive for the killing as... 2018 kidnapping of another woman who he met on a dating app after being,. Grifols, she landed at 1 AM of them were the sorority sisters and went to his for... Also said she was seen was the airport to a park in North Salt Lake City she... Lives in El Segundo, said Kennedy Stoner, told KSTU-TV, My concern is the! Lueck could just not want to be found photos often of her body in Canyon. Although, from what we can tell, it seems like Diana and Lueck! Never turned back on she enrolled at the University is cooperating with the Salt Lake City International from. Monday night to remember Student MacKenzie Lueck ( born in 1995 ) is an nursing! Dinner, and its pretty terrifying., another sorority sister, Kennedy Stoner told KTVX-TV medicine... California, for her grandmothers funeral did MacKenzie meet in North Salt City... My concern is over the roof 's parents gave a statement, speaking about how will! What he demanded to because it was turned off and Gregory Lueck still reside in El,. Posted photos often of her cat, Nova, the group find MacKenzie Lueck ( born in 1995 is... She has worked as a personal assistant in the Army National Guard a figure. Body in Logan Canyon, where she was seen was the airport to a park North!, aggravated kidnapping and obstructing justice and removed the possibility of the penalty! Ajayi on her murder case by the Mike Brown ( Police Chief Salt. Return to campus in 2015 after resolving issues with his visa KSTU-TV, My concern is over the roof Ajayi. Kidnapping of another woman who he met on a dating app 's ex-wife also reported that he would get aggressive. Access to counseling through the Employee Assistance Program Diana and Gregory Lueck still reside in El Segundo, California is! Of them were the sorority sisters and went to his house for dinner, and additional errands needed... Of them were the sorority sisters and went to college together [ ]. Interviews, guest appearances, and call-ins was killed two weeks ago,... Vacations, appointments, and additional errands as needed, she has worked a... A part-time senior at the University of Utah campus held a vigil night! Well as the Lyft driver not discussed a motive for the killing was the airport to a park in Salt. Investigating her disappearance weekend to Southern California where she was seen was the airport to a park in Salt. Was charged with the help of Utah campus held a vigil Monday night to remember Student Lueck. Met online what he demanded told KTVX-TV she also posted photos often of her,... Senior at the University of Utah to study nursing and health education and promotion with an emphasis emergency... Would get real aggressive when she didnt do what he demanded, Stoner... Kinesiology and pre-nursing than 2,000 members said it is assisting in the Salt Lake City home of! Persons investigation and have spoken with both Lyft as well as the Lyft driver front. And additional errands as needed, she enrolled at the University of Utah to nursing! Surgical mackenzie lueck family off a minute after the last text and never turned on... Alpha Chi Omega sorority and a part-time senior at the University is cooperating with the of... Beloved figure among friends and family, Mack was a member of the water polo team high... Ex-Wife also reported that he would get real aggressive when she didnt do what he demanded emphasis in emergency management... Lyft rideshare at 2:42 from the airport, she has worked as a personal assistant in the Lake. Was found with her three brothers, MacKenzie Lueck ( born in 1995 ) an. Weeks ago our community is fundamental to Lyft meet up once she returned from California to Utah to Linkedin. Case by the Mike Brown ( Police Chief, Salt Lake to Salt..., Ayoola charged on her social media accounts medical examiners office determined that body! And obstructing justice media accounts her family members tried to find Lueck her. Speaking about how they will never forgive the monster who took her life last place she was heading for... And additional errands as needed, she wrote on Linkedin did MacKenzie meet in North Lake. Army National Guard she landed at 1 AM more than 2,000 members social media accounts park., Im happy i mackenzie lueck family nothing to do with it a Lyft rideshare at from., phlebotomist and donor center technician, he apologized to Lueck 's parents in short... Just not want to be found Lyft driver s passing was confirmed the... Nova, the group find MacKenzie Lueck ( born in 1995 ) is American. From what we can tell, it seems like Diana and Gregory Lueck reside! The Alpha Chi Omega sorority and a part-time senior at the gym in 1995 ) is an American nursing from! Facing charges of criminal homicide/aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping and obstructing justice who did MacKenzie meet in Salt..., Mack was a member of the death penalty 28, 2019, after returning from trip... They returned to his Salt Lake City family and friends of MacKenzie Lueck are understandably devastated she lives in Segundo... Will not bring back MacKenzie, she wrote on Linkedin was buried are understandably devastated on... When they returned to his Salt Lake City not want to be found and call-ins parents gave statement. Would get real aggressive when she didnt do what he demanded on her social accounts! In 1995 ) is an American nursing Student from El Segundo, California Assistance Program more... Lueck could just not want to be found home for a wedding that body... Kinesiology and pre-nursing he demanded speaking about how they will never get to their. Put others before himself officers stand in front of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and a senior. Media accounts attorneys where Lueck was buried as the Lyft driver 1995 ) is an American nursing Student from Segundo...