MISSING Utah college student met someone at park after Lyft ride, missed midterms & flight home: Police

Story contributed by Kim Leigh Martin, Co-founder and President of 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Missing Pieces Network.

Assistant Chief Tim Doubt of Salt Lake City Police Department held a press conference Monday afternoon to update the public on the case of Mackenzie Lueck. The 23-year-old University of Utah student has been missing now for a week and has had no contact with family or close friends.

According to Doubt, Mackenzie arrived at Salt Lake City International Airport at 1:35 a.m. on the morning on Monday, June 17, 2019 on a flight from LAX. She texted her mother at 2:01 a.m. to let her know she had arrived safely.

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At 2:42 a.m., according to police, Mackenzie took a Lyft to Hatch Park located off of 15 West in North Salt Lake. The Lyft arrived at the park at 2:59 a.m. and Mackenzie was met by an individual in a vehicle.

The Lyft driver made contact with the driver and stated Mackenzie didn’t seem in distress as she placed her bag in the vehicle and left.

UPDATE 6-24-19: According to Erin Cox with Fox 13 in Salt Lake City, SLC detectives are back in the area of North Salt…

Posted by Missing Pieces Network on Saturday, June 22, 2019

 

The Lyft driver has been cooperative and is not considered a suspect at this time.

Police canvassed the area around Hatch Park several times looking for surveillance video and speaking with residents. They located footage from areas around the park, but nothing from inside the park yet. Detectives were in the area earlier today knocking on doors.

Doubt acknowledged that the police had the same questions as the media and the public. He encouraged the public to help them answer these questions. Namely, does Mackenzie have another phone they are unaware of? Who did she meet at the park? Has she made contact with anyone over the past week? Does she have any unknown social media accounts?

Doubt also acknowledged that there have been cases in which people simply don’t want to be found. However, there is no indication Mackenzie wanted to disappear willingly. She doesn’t have a history of missing school or work, and has no known mental health issues.

Friends and family said it’s unusual for her to not contact anyone by phone or social media.

Detectives are trying to identify the driver of the car and will not release the make and model of the vehicle until they can make a positive identification.

When asked if they thought Mackenzie could be in danger, Doubt replied, “At this time there is no evidence that any harm has come to her. However, because of the circumstances of the case, we want to make sure that she is all right,” Doubt said.

“Mackenzie, we are asking you to please reach out to either to the Salt Lake City Police Department or a law enforcement agency where you are at. We just to make sure you are safe and we will respect your wishes.”

A dedicated tip line has been set up specifically for MacKenzie Lueck. Call 801-799-4420 and reference case 19-11129.

Update on Mackenzie Lueck Investigation

Posted by SLC Police on Monday, June 24, 2019

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[Feature Photo: Mackenzie Lueck/Handout]