Missing since June 17, body of college student Mackenzie Lueck recovered in Logan Canyon
At a press conference held yesterday, Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown informed the world that the body of Mackenzie Lueck, the 23-year-old University of Utah nursing student who went missing on June 17, has been recovered. Her remains were found and recovered Wednesday about 85 miles north of Salt Lake City in Logan Canyon.
Authorities had initially believed that the man arrested in connection with Lueck’s death, 31-year-old Ayoola Ajayi, had burned her body in the backyard of his suburban Salt Lake City home. Ajayi was taken into custody June 28 and has not yet been formally charged in connection with the crime. ~ Los Angeles Times
Lueck, an El Segundo, California, native, was last seen after taking a Lyft from the Salt Lake City International Airport. The driver of that Lyft informed police that she met someone at Hatch Park in north Salt Lake City and seemed fine – not in any distress. But that was the last time she was seen alive.
Authorities later determined Lueck’s last communication was with Ajayi, said police. Phone records show that Lueck and Ajayi were both at Hatch Park within less than one minute of each other, according to authorities.
During a search of Ajayi’s home, his neighbors told police they saw him using gasoline to burn something in his backyard on June 17 and 18, police said.
“Several charred items consistent with personal items of Mackenzie Lueck” were found in his yard, according to police. ~ ABC News
Brown did not specify how investigators were able to discover the whereabouts of Lueck’s remains.
Ajayi was arrested on June 28 and has been detained on suspicion of aggravated murder, kidnapping and desecration of a body, according to USA Today. He is currently jailed without bail. Formal charges are expected to be filed next week.
You can see Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown’s press conference below. Also check out the video regarding the dramatic arrest of murder suspect Ayoola Ajayi.
~ Written by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
Also see:
- Mother of 2-year-old missing Virginia boy arrested and charged with his disappearance
- Bodies found in Oregon identified as missing mom Karissa Fretwell and 3-year-old son Billy Fretwell
- Remains found in Oregon home identified as Dennis Day, former Mouseketeer
