UT - Mackenzie “Kenzie” Lueck, 23, Salt Lake City, 17 June, 2019 Media, Maps, Timeline NO DISCUSS

[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, 2019
Man formally charged in murder of Utah college student Mackenzie Lueck
[...]

District Attorney Sim Gill said Wednesday that the remains had been burned and were found in a shallow grave in a wooded area. Lueck's arms were bound behind her back with zip ties and she also suffered blunt force trauma to her skull, which a medical examiner said could have been fatal.

Human bone, muscular tissue, a charred cellphone and other personal items were also discovered in Ajayi's backyard, according to Gill. Neighbors had previously told authorities that Ajayi had burned something with gasoline in his backyard around June 17 or 18.

A search of Ajayi's vehicle turned up a gasoline can, Gill said Wednesday.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, 2019
Salt Lake DA files charges against MacKenzie Lueck's alleged killer
Ayoola Adisa Ajayi, 31, has been charged with first-degree felony aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping, desecration of a body and misdemeanor obstruction of justice for MacKenzie Lueck's homicide.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced the charges had been filed in the Third District Court on Wednesday.

Ajayi's first initial appearance is scheduled for July 15 at 10 a.m.

[...]

In an alleyway adjacent to Ajayi's home, investigators found charred black fabric, buckles and other items of value that belonged to Lueck.

When police searched his vehicle, they smelled a strong odor of gasoline emitting from the trunk and discovered a red gasoline, court documents state.

[...]

Cell phone records placed Ajayi in the canyon on June 25 in the area where Lueck's remains were found.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, 2019
Suspect assaulted Utah student Mackenzie Lueck, then burned her body, charges say
Police say further investigation revealed that Ajayi had purchased a gas can at a nearby store at 9 a.m. on June 17, just six hours after picking up Lueck. That gas can was found in the trunk of Ajayi's car, according to police.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, 2019
Suspect assaulted Utah student Mackenzie Lueck, then burned her body, charges say
[...]

After she was killed, prosecutors say Ajayi poured gasoline on her body and burned it. Her charred remains were found by police in a shallow grave under a grove of trees in Logan Canyon on July 3.

"Mackenzie's arms were bound behind her back by a zip tie and rope. A 5-centimeter hole was located on the left side of her skull with part of her left scalp missing," according to charging documents filed in 3rd District Court.

An autopsy conducted by the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office determined Lueck died from blunt force trauma to the left side of her skull, "resulting in significant intracranial hemorrhaging which would have been fatal," the charges state.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill declined to say Wednesday if or what kind of weapon Ajayi might have used to cause a 5-centimeter hole.

[...]

While some questions about what happened to Lueck were answered Wednesday, there are still many that remained unanswered, such as how Lueck and Ajayi first met, his motive, and whether Ajayi ultimately gave police information that led them to her body in Logan Canyon, about 85 miles north of Salt Lake City.

[...]

As for the question of whether the killing was premeditated, Gill reminded journalists that a charge of aggravated murder can be filed in Utah whether there is intent, or whether the defendant acted in such a way that the intent was to kill the victim, but it is not necessarily to prove it was a premeditated action.

[...]

Lueck's cellphone was powered off at 2:59 a.m. and never came back on, the charges state. Forensic evidence collected by police placed Ajayi's cellphone back at his Salt Lake residence, 547 N. 1000 West, at 3:07 a.m., according to charging documents. That's about the time it would take to drive directly to his house in the Fairpark neighborhood from the south Davis County park.

[...]

On June 26, a large number of police officers served a search warrant on Ajayi’s home, collecting multiple bags of evidence. They were also seen digging holes in his backyard near the area where neighbors had previously seen him pouring gasoline on items and burning them.

Police found a human bone, charred muscular tissue, part of a scalp with hair, a cellphone and other charred personal items in the excavation area in Ajayi's yard, according to charging documents. More charred items were found in an alley next to Ajayi's home.

While serving the warrant, a neighbor reported noticing a "horrible smell" that was coming from the fire Ajayi set in his backyard on June 17 and 18, the charges state. Police say further investigation revealed that Ajayi had purchased a gas can at a nearby store at 9 a.m. on June 17, just six hours after picking up Lueck. That gas can was found in the trunk of Ajayi's car, according to police.

[...]

Investigators put DNA evidence they had collected on the fast track to be tested, and on the morning of June 28, a SWAT team surrounded an apartment complex at 1028 S. West Temple and took Ajayi into custody at gunpoint.

As police continued to analyze Ajayi's cellphone data, they learned he was in Logan Canyon on June 25 between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., charging documents state. Investigators found Lueck's remains on July 3.

An initial appearance in court is scheduled for Monday, and a scheduling conference for the high-profile case has already been scheduled for July 29. Ajayi is being held without bail.

With a charge of aggravated murder, Ajayi could potentially face a possible death penalty if convicted. Gill said it was too early to say whether his office would seek the death penalty, and by law that decision doesn't have to be made until after a preliminary hearing and an arraignment.

[...]

 

[Emi]

Jason Nguyen on Twitter
Jason Nguyen‏Verified account @FollowWIN 51m51 minutes ago
Here is a statement from @jackiebiskupski on the #MackenzieLueck charges filed by @SLCountyDA today. @abc4utah

0 replies0 retweets0 likes

 

[PommyMommy]

KSL 5 TV on Twitter
BREAKING: Investigators have returned to the house of Ayoola Ajayi, the suspect in the homicide of Mackenzie Lueck. Police executing another search warrant.

6:26 PM - 10 Jul 2019

Dan Rascon on Twitter
Breaking: @slcpd back at the suspects home in the #MackenzieLueck murder case police say they are gathering more evidence @KSL5TV

6:26 PM - 10 Jul 2019

Jeremy Harris on Twitter (VIDEO)
NOW: @slcpd crime scene unit is backing into the driveway of Ayoola Ajayi’s driveway. They are going to be loading in evidence collected today.
6:27 PM - 10 Jul 2019

KSL 5 TV on Twitter
Police remove doors from the home of Ayoola Ajayi, suspect in the death of 23-year-old #MackenzieLueck. https://ksltv.com/category/lueck

6:30 PM - 10 Jul 2019

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[PommyMommy]

Nicole Neuman on Twitter
As ABC4 was the first to report, more crime scene investigators coming and going from Ayoola Ajayi’s Fairpark home. The 31-year-old is charged with the murder of Mackenzie Lueck. Investigators searched his garage, home and backyard. A crime scene van carried away evidence.

6:36 PM - 10 Jul 2019

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, 2019
https://ksltv.com/417582/ksl-investigates-ayoola-ajayis-changing-immigration-status/
Although much of a person’s immigration status is private information, representatives with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Ayoola Adisa Ajayi, the suspect charged in the murder of Mackenzie Lueck, is a lawful legal resident and he was at the time of his arrest.

It was not clear whether that status means Ajayi may or may not have had a green card.

In the fall of 2009, Utah State University confirmed Ajayi traveled from his home in Nigeria, Africa to Logan, Utah where he began attending classes on a student visa.

Shortly after Ajayi his arrival in October 2009, he was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Logan Dill was a missionary who taught Ajayi while serving in the Ogden mission.

[...]

“His dad in Nigeria, before he came here, had a dream that his son would find a church while he was here in Utah. So, it was just a really cool experience. Things moved very quickly. He just soaked everything up,” Dill said. “He found some instant friends, you know. People were very warm and welcoming, and accepted him right away.”

[...]

Dill said he never knew Ajayi was married. After he was transferred out of the area and ultimately, got home from his mission, he kept in contact with Ajayi only over Facebook. Dill said Ajayi never posted anything about the wedding or marriage – at least nothing he saw online.

[...]

According to officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, regardless of whether someone who is not a citizen marries someone who is, that person’s “permanent residency” in the country is not automatic. There’s still an application process.

[...]

By May 2012, according to reports from the USU Police Department, although Ajayi wasn’t a student at the time, he was on-campus. University police gave him a warning for trespassing. The report suggested Ajayi may have actually been homeless.

USU PD contacted ICE about Ajayi to alert them to the fact that he was in violation of his student visa because he was not enrolled in classes.

In July 2012, university police arrested Ajayi on a possession of stolen property charge – a class B misdemeanor. As a result, he was banned from university property.

In a letter dated August 2012 from the school’s associate vice president for student services to Ajayi, the VP told Ajayi that he had been made aware that Ajayi was “in the U.S. illegally.”

KSL TV was unable to pin-down Ajayi’s immigration status in 2013 and 2014. Around that time, Dill said he lost touch with Ajayi.

[...]

By the spring of 2015, USU confirmed Ajayi returned as a student. University officials would not say what type of visa he was on at that point, but said that when Ajayi reapplied for acceptance into the school, his immigration status had changed. He was then “in compliance,” and the issue was resolved.

Ajayi left USU again the fall of 2016, and never earned a degree.

Ajayi’s LinkedIn profile and resume indicated he studied at Utah State University and London South Bank University. According to officials with LSCU’s student services and registry teams, Ajayi was not a student of that university.

The LinkedIn profile also indicated Ajayi was employed by the U.S. Army as an Information Technology Specialist from September 2014 through June 2016.

Representatives with the Utah Army National Guard confirmed Private Ayoola Ajayi was a member of the 214th Forward Support Company based out of Tooele. However, he did not attend basic or advanced individual trainings and was discharged on June 10, 2015 after six months of service.

The Utah Army National Guard told us he could not have been a member of both the active Army and the Army National Guard at the same time. The spokesperson for the Utah Army National Guard says Ajayi’s dates don’t match official records.

From September 2017 to August 2018, KSL Investigates confirmed Ajayi was a contract employee working in information technology at Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake City.

Ajayi LinkedIn page said he had been an employee at Dell’s Draper office. As of July 2018, he was no longer employed there. The company would not say when he started working there.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, 2019
MacKenzie Lueck Died from 'Blunt Force Trauma'

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[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, 2019
Ayoola Ajayi’s ex-wife speaks as investigators take more evidence from his home
[...]

Shortly after news broke of the formal charges, ABC4 spoke to the suspect’s ex-wife Tenisha Ajayi.

By phone, she tells ABC4, “Yes, I do” when asked whether or not she believes her ex-husband killed Mackenzie Lueck. Tenisha goes on to say her ex-husband “threatened” her, but didn’t elaborate when we asked.

[...]

ABC4 also spoke with some of Ajayi’s neighbors. Off-camera, some telling us their worst fears were confirmed that this happened in their neighborhood.

[...]

Despite being too disturbed to go on-camera, one neighbor told ABC4 that he’s taking the time to water a tree located in front of Ajayi’s home. His hope is to keep it alive for Mackenzie.

Neighbors are also maintaining the memorial outside of Ajayi’s home dedicated to Lueck.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 11, 2019
Gruesome details revealed in slaying of Utah college student
[...]

A freshly dug site was found by Ajayi's garage. It was there that police found a human bone, part of a scalp with hair, a phone and charred personal items, Gill said.

Ajayi's neighbor told police he or she saw a fire in a pit in the suspect's yard and that Ajayi allegedly poured gasoline on it, Gill said.

The neighbor noteda "horrible smell" coming from Ajayi's yard, Gill said.

A gasoline can was found in the trunk of his car, Gill said.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, Updated JUL 11, 2019
Aggravated murder charge, other counts filed against man accused of killing Utah student MacKenzie Lueck
[...]

Asked about the time lag between the burning at Ajayi’s home and this visit to Logan Canyon, Gill declined to comment.

The canyon is two hours north of Salt Lake City. He did not comment on where he believes Lueck was killed. Ajayi attended Utah State University, which is located in Logan, near the canyon.

Ajayi’s initial court appearance has been scheduled for Monday. His defense attorney, Maren Larson, did not immediately return a call from The Salt Lake Tribune.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

The Salt Lake Tribune on Twitter
On the front page: The @USWNT is greeted by “USA!” chants at a ticker tape parade; the man accused of killing Utah student MacKenzie Lueck faces aggravated murder charges; and Utah political leaders call for unity in the wake of a violent protest. Read more

8:01 AM - 11 Jul 2019

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 10, 2019
Police return to MacKenzie Lueck murder suspect's home with new warrant
[...]

Salt Lake City Police said the warrant was part of their ongoing investigation, but could not immediately comment about what was retrieved.

A 2News crew at the scene observed investigators load several bags into crime scene vans around 5:30 p.m.

[...]

Police had previously served several search warrant’s at Ajayi’s home on 1000 West in Salt Lake City’s Fairpark neighborhood. Salt Lake City Police Det. Greg Wilking said additional search warrants may be issued in the case and it’s possible police will return to Ajayi’s home again.

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 11, 2019
Former prosecutor says Mackenzie Lueck murder case is ‘lacking an eyewitness’
[...]

The questions, according to former prosecutor and current defense attorney Kent Morgan, are many.

“Is this truly all they have?” said Morgan.

He says cell phone evidence is not witness testimony, which could make the case harder to prove.

“All of this evidence is lacking an eyewitness as to what happened. All of this evidence requires you to draw inferences from the forensic evidence,” said Morgan.

“What we have is geek evidence — that shows where phones are. What we have is post-death evidence that shows where the deceased was and what happened to the deceased. What we’re missing is who did it. And what was the motive for it?” said Morgan.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

JUN 28, 2019 - North Park Police Dept Press Release regarding 2014 investigation of Sex Offense/Rape Complaint

MackenzieLueck

This is what happens when we create a society that shames women who report sexual assault/rape. It. Must. Stop. #MackenzieLueck

 

[PommyMommy]

JUL 11, 2019
https://ksltv.com/417600/ayoola-ajayi-the-online-persona/
[...]

KSL Investigator Brittany Glas spoke to the women who have reported “concerning interactions” with Ajayi in recent years. Those women who interacted with Ajayi online say he painted a very different picture than what they experienced in their interactions with him.

While most of the women were not comfortable interviewing on-camera, the women told KSL they communicated with Ajayi on various social platforms, including Tinder, Snapchat, and Mutual, among others. At some point, the women all say Ajayi crossed a line.

[...]

North Park Police Investigate Ajayi for Rape Complaint

In November 2014, a reported rape victim – an adult woman – made a complaint against Ajayi with the North Park Police Department, saying she did not want to pursue charges against him, but that she wanted the assault on file “in case he did the same thing to someone else.”

[...]

In July 2012, Utah State University Police arrested Ajayi for possession of stolen property – a class B misdemeanor. However, there is no longer any record of the case, which may explain why the charge didn’t show up in the criminal history search.

Cache County officials we spoke with say the best explanation is the case was expunged, meaning – it’s as if it never happened.

In the USU PD report, police said Ajayi was using a stolen iPad that was “full of his information and apps.” Police reviewed the iPad and learned he was using it to find a “female as a prospect to marry to keep from being deported.” That is – even though court records show he was already married to a woman named Tenisha Jenkins Ajayi – and had been, since June 2011. Public records show the two were married in Dallas, Texas.

[...]

Days before Lueck’s murder, Ajayi asked out a woman he didn’t know via text after retrieving information through “Tools” app

In the most recent instance KSL Investigators have discovered prior to his arrest, Ajayi texted a woman he didn’t know to ask her out.

SV is friends with that woman. Vranes says Ajayi obtained her friend’s cell phone number through a church directory app.

[...]

Ajayi was on the roster of the same Salt Lake-area mid-singles ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as both women. Ajayi was legally married when he joined.

[...]

“I was shaking when I found out, when I saw that. I knew he had asked my friend out, but I realized that it was on June 5th that that happened. It shook me and a lot of my girlfriends in the ward,” SV explained. “He said, ‘Hey, like, I haven’t talked to you at church. I’m just really shy. But maybe we can get to know each other and I can take you out.’ She was like, ‘No, thanks.’”

[...]

Fact-Checking the Suspect’s Online Resume and/or Online Inconsistencies

Scanning his LinkedIn profile online, KSL has been able to confirm with Dell that Ajayi was an employee at the company’s Draper, Utah, office. However, as of July 2019, company representatives say he is no longer employed there. Dell would not release his dates of employment.

Ajayi was also a contract employee at Goldman Sachs in Salt Lake, where he worked in IT. He worked at Goldman for the contracted company from September 2017 through August 2018.

We also now know that although Ajayi claims to have attended London South Bank University, student services and registry teams for the college confirm Ajayi was not a student there.

[...[

 

[margarita25]

Delete

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

Is there a link to the charges/charging documents?
I want to add it to the Case Archive.

Mackenzie Lueck -UT- by amanda reckonwith

 

[ClaireNC]

KSL investigates Ayoola Ajayi’s changing immigration status, life in Utah
KSL.com
By Cara MacDonald, KSL.com | Posted - Jul 11th, 2019 @ 10:15pm

“ Ayoola Ajayi, the man accused of killing 23-year-old University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck, has been confirmed as a legal resident of the United States by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

Much of a person’s immigration status is considered private information, and as such, it is not clear whether Ajayi was a resident through a green card or not, according to KSL TV. Over the years since Ajayi traveled to Utah from his home in Nigeria, Africa, his legal resident status has at times come under question.”