Ayoola Ajayi was taken into custody on June 28. Where could she have gone? A 32-year-old Utah man pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated murder and desecration of a human body in the kidnapping and death of MacKenzie Lueck of El Segundo, authorities said. Carly Reilly told CNN affiliate KSL that she was instantly drawn to Luecks personality and knew when she met her she wanted to be her big or sorority mentor. . Suspect in Mackenzie Lueck Murder Charged With 19 Counts of Sexual Exploitation of Minors. 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. We encourage the public to help us answer these questions: Does MacKenzie have an alternate phone that she has used or is using? If that is the case, MacKenzie, we are asking you to please reach out to either the Salt Lake City Police Department or a law enforcement agency where you are at. Were so, so worried about you. Lyft said the driver continued to pick up other riders after dropping Lueck off. Salt Lake Police Sergeant Brandon Shearer told KSTU-TVs Erin Cox, Our concern is extremely high right now. Friends say they do not know why Lueck would have been going to the park or who she could have been meeting. Tributes To Mack Gallagher death. The Lyft driver who picked up slain Utah sorority sister Mackenzie Lueck recounted the haunting details of the ride in a new interview. 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. The Salt Lake City Police Department said in a press release that Lueck was last seen on Monday, June 17. This is my house & everything I do is for me. [22] Ajayi pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree forcible sexual abuse in connection to this case on October 7, 2020. Her last post was about her grandmothers death. If anyone has any information on Mackenzie or where she may be, please contact SLCPD at 801-799-3000 re: case 19-111129., The Lueck family said in a statement, Our primary goal is to find Mackenzie and bring her home. Days later, after police came to Ajayis house to ask him questions about Luecks disappearance, Ajayi dug up Lueck's remains and took them to Logan Canyon where he buried Lueck in a wooded area in a shallow grave. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Prosecutors have reached a plea agreement with the man accused of killing University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck.. Ayoola Ajayi, age 32, appeared in Third District Court Tuesday, wearing a face mask. She also posted photos often of her cat, Nova, the outfits she liked to wear and her fitness progress at the gym. Neighbors reported that Ajayi had bonfires behind his garage on June 17 and 18 that resulted in a horrible smell. Additionally, charred fabric and other items were found in a nearby alleyway. 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. Ajayi was an information technology worker and was briefly in the Army National Guard. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said the guilty pleas allow Lueck's parents to begin to get closure and a measure of justice." Furthermore, she died on June 27, 2019. Ajayi claimed that he wanted to hide alcohol from his Mormon girlfriend. I love you and Ill see you in a life time., Her friend, Juliana Cauley, told CBS News, Ive never met a person that doesnt like Mackenzie. All Rights Reserved. A Facebook page with photos of Ajayi promoted the book. The driver is, not a suspect at this time, Shearer told the Deseret News. [6][14] He was later sentenced to one to 15 years in prison for the crime. She was selfless and perfect. A native of Nigeria, Ajayi held a green card that allows him to legally work and live in the U.S., prosecutors have said. When investigators searched Ajayis home and property, they found charred material that was determined to be female human tissue consistent with Luecks DNA profile, according to Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown. I never imagined this day coming, but heaven couldnt wait for her. Although, from what we can tell, it seems like Diana and Gregory Lueck still reside in El Segundo, California. I know this wont bring her back. But the Luecks had already told him that they would never forgive him, making it clear that he would receive no pity, mercy, or compassion from them because hed showed none to MacKenzie. Mackenzie Lueck's mother, Diana Lueck, remembered her daughter as a kind, loving and caring young woman who was a real 'spitfire.'. The Lyft driver is the one who described the interaction between Mackenzie and the unidentified individual as pleasant & happy to see each other. IE 11 is not supported. n Politica noastr de confidenialitate i n Politica privind modulele cookie. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Welcome to Dreshare.com! Her friends and family considered it "highly unusual and suspect that MacKenzie would not have any communications or social-media activity despite multiple attempts to contact her," Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said during the news conference. Lueck's body was discovered in a canyon about 85 miles from the home of suspect Ayoola Ajayi. Reilly told the news station that Lueck was the type of person who went out of her way to help people and always tried to make the best of every situation. Actually, her mother-father told their daughter did not come to meet them after her mid-term exams. Please please please be on the lookout. 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. I just dont see any other reason as to why she would be there at that time.. Investigators who tracked Luecks cell phone said it was in the park at the same time as Ajayis cell phone before the data and location services ceased around 3 a.m., police said. She went missing in June 2019, after returning from a trip home to El Segundo, California, for her grandmothers funeral. Its not like her to go off the grid and if she did then she would tell me. A suspect is in custody in the disappearance and death of 23-year-old MacKenzie Lueck, who was last seen on June 17. The death of the friendly student has touched those throughout not only her school community, but also her state. For the next two weeks, while Diana, Gregory, and their three sons tried to do all they could to look for MacKenzie from California, her Alpha Chi Omega sorority sisters stepped up to find her in Utah. Fine added a message to Lueck, If youre in a bad situation, please reach out Were really concerned for you.. To schedule an appointment, call 801-581-6826 or visit the offices temporary reception area in Room 330 in the Student Services Building. Salt Lake City police said the man . 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. The announcement by police that a Salt Lake City man was arrested on suspicion of killing University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck has sparked grief from her sorority . Her cousin, Carly Stevens, said through tears: 'This is a nightmare you can't wake up from. She disappeared following a Lyft ride from Salt Lake City International Airport. Things arent adding up. MacKenzie Lueck Bio - MacKenzie Lueck Wiki. Some friends have also said she was heading home for a wedding. Stoner added, The police have said they have no reason to believe shes in danger, but at this point, its been seven days., Said Fine, She might have been meeting someone there. Stoner, who is Luecks little sister in the sorority, has been sharing information on social media and handing ut flyers to help in the search since early on. 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. She took a Lyft to meet him in a park, prosecutors have said. A man has been charged in connection with the disappearance of missing University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck, CBS News reports. Washington, PA (15301) Today. Police said they have no reason to doubt his story and have confirmed he took customers on rides after dropping Lueck off at the park. 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. Lueck . Kenzie Lueck grew up in El Segundo, California, where her family still lives, and she graduated from El Segundo High School. Lyft and their driver have cooperated with the investigation, the press release said. By
While they watched TV on his couch he began intensely kissing the victim and trying to inappropriately and forcefully touch her. This was just way too weird, Wolf said. But in an initial missing persons investigation, those are things that can slow down or hamper an investigation if we dont have any other information., Jolyn Mendelson, Luecks cousin, told KSL-TV, She said the plane had landed and that was the last text she put out. Aflai mai multe despre modul n care utilizm informaiile dvs. MacKenzie was expected on a flight his weekend to Southern California where she lives in El Segundo, said Kennedy Stoner told KTVX-TV. Ayoola Ajayi Admits Murdering Utah Student Mackenzie Lueck. aggravated murder and desecration of a corpse. On June 28, authorities in Salt Lake City confirmed that 31-year-old Ayoola Ajayi had been charged in relation to Luecks murder. Luecks family said she had texted her parents about 2 a.m. to say that she had landed safely at Salt Lake City International Airport. I help with organization tasks and projects. They also set up a Twitter account, @FindMacLueck, and have been using the hashtags #FindMacKenzie and #MacLueck. Because of privacy laws that protect Mackenzies personal information, the university cannot provide further details. He faced felony charges of criminal homicide/aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, obstruction of justice and the abuse or desecration of a human body. She was expected to graduate in spring 2020. 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. Shes just the sweetest, most genuine girl. Lueck, 23, had just returned from a trip to her California . 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. When MacKenzie landed in the city at around 2 a.m., she texted her mother, Landed, and Love you mama. However, when Diana tried to respond shortly after, she realized that her daughters phone was off. She is scheduled to graduate in 2019, she says on Facebook, but her graduation date was not immediately clear. [9] She attended El Segundo High School where she was on the swimming team and played water polo. 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. (Deseret News) In an interview with police, Ajayi admitted to texting with her on the . When she tried to get away, Ajayi pinned her down and bit her at least three times, causing "significant pain" and leaving "bruising and bite marks. Doubt said detectives have tried to find Lueck through her phone, but have not been able to because it was turned off. Theyre also knocking doors in the area to see if anyone saw anything. Mackenzie also graduated in El Segundo High School. 'The pain of Kenzi's loss and the permanent fracture it has left in our family is indescribable. She hasnt been to work, home, and missed a school midterm yesterday. That's where she last saw and hugged her cousin before she returned to Utah and was killed, Chloe Stevens said as she cried. According to Begnaud, She put her bag in the car & appeared to be happy to see the driver, when she arrived at Hatch Park. 15:57 EST 23 Oct 2020 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. [6], Last edited on 20 February 2023, at 21:21, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Exclusive: Friend of missing 23-year-old Mackenzie Lueck speaks out about disappearance", "Slain Utah student Mackenzie Lueck's charred body was bound in shallow grave; suspect formally charged: DA", "Body of Slain University of Utah Student Mackenzie Lueck Was Found Bound in Shallow Grave", "Man charged in death of Utah college student Mackenzie Lueck", "MacKenzie Lueck's accused killer to appear in court for second time", "Ayoola Ajayi pleads guilty to killing Mackenzie Lueck and the murder was planned before they met", "Man Pleads Guilty to Killing and Burning a Utah College Student", "Man apologizes as he's sentenced to life in prison for Mackenzie Lueck slaying", "MacKenzie Speth "Kenzie" Lueck (1996-2019) - Find", "Who was MacKenzie Lueck? Delta Airlines Offers to Fly Singing California Kid and His Entire Family to New York MacKenzie Lueck has been missing in Salt Lake City, Utah, since June 17. The American bison (Bison bison) is the largest terrestrial mammal in North America and is represented by two subspecies. She went missing on 17 June 2019. Ayoola Ajayi was arrested June 28, 2019, in the murder of 23-year-old Mackenzie Lueck in Salt Lake City, Utah. I also plan vacations, appointments, and additional errands as needed, she wrote on Linkedin. The suspect, Ayoola A. Ajayi, a . Lueck's parents gave a statement, speaking about how they will never get to see their only daughter marry and have children. 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. [6][12][17][21] Additionally, Lueck suffered blunt force trauma on the left side of her head. [17], The trial for Lueck's murder was originally set for March 12, 2020, but was postponed so that prosecutors would have more time to go through evidence and give it to Ajayi's defense attorneys. 'Never in my life have I felt anger the way I have the last 16 months. NBCs Dateline: The Waiting Car is an episode that profiles the 2019 murder of 23-year-old MacKenzie Lueck, a University of Utah student, whose remains were recovered partly from a backyard and partly from a shallow grave in a canyon nearly two weeks after she was strangled to death. If shes safe and doesnt want to be found, thats OK. However, Ayoola charged on her murder case by the Mike Brown (Police Chief, Salt Lake City). Ajayi then burned her body and buried it in his backyard, Hamilton said. (UPDATE: Police announced an arrest in the Lueck case hours after we recorded this session.) [24], A search of and around Ajayi's property yielded Luecks belongings and some of her remains. She wrote, Sisters! Ayoola Ajayi, 31, was arrested and charged with Lueck's kidnapping and murder. "[15] According to the North Park Police Department of North Logan, Utah, Ajayi was also investigated in connection with a rape reported in 2014. A contractor who was referred to a job at Ajayis home by a friend told CNN the suspect asked him to build a secret soundproof room in his home. [17], After being arrested, Ajayi told his attorneys where Lueck was buried. family, and friends of the victims. Those that knew her are now mourning her death and trying to understand what happened after she left a park with a man in the early hours of June 17. Police arrested Ayoola Adisa Ajayi, 31, after recovering several charred items, including body parts and personal items belonging to Lueck, in Ajayi's backyard. Her phone was turned off a minute after the last text and never turned back on. Fine told KSTU-TV, We hope youre okay, we want you home. 'I replay those final moments together in my head over and over, stricken with grief that I cannot somehow keep her with us just a little bit longer,' she said. Mackenzie also graduated in El Segundo High School. 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. Mourners plan a vigil Monday at 6 p.m. Utah time at the university. 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 . Her family is grateful for the concern, prayers and the tireless efforts of the Salt Lake City Police and members of the community. Her family added in a post on Facebook, MacKenzie, if you can hear us, your family and friends are looking for you and are concerned for your safety. He said detectives have interviewed her friends and acquaintances from school and checked locations she was known to frequent. Rest In Peace Mackenzie Michael Gallagher - you will forever remain in our hearts! Detectives are concerned for Mackenzies welfare. Though, the officers searched for the girl for 11 days. Authorities have not discussed a motive for the killing. He studied computer science but did not graduate. It is not known why she went there. PLEASE SHARE! A native of Nigeria, Ajayi held a green card that allowed him to legally work and live in the U.S., prosecutors have said. They set up a Twitter account too i.e. Powered by. My grandmother, papa Gerry, was a hero to many. The deans office is also talking with and providing support to Mackenzies classmates. Ayoola Ajayi, 31, has been charged with aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, obstruction of justice and desecration of a body. 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