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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,120
Registered: ‎03-29-2019

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

Maybe she disappeared on purpose, and doesn't want to be found.

 

 

 

The Sky looks different when you have someone you love up there.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,739
Registered: ‎05-19-2012

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

[ Edited ]

Perhaps another Gone Girl.  This would be a desirable outcome, of course, for she would be alive.

 

I do wonder and worry as well. 

 

It is very smart to be picked up at a park, to be honest, rather than be dropped off at a specific address if you do not wish to be found.  No grilling of the occupants of that address, thus making a "disappearance" more successful (if only for a longer time).  Very clever, indeed, if this was part of her escape plan.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,997
Registered: ‎10-04-2015

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

Someone who texts their mom at 1:00 in the morning to say she just landed isn't someone who would leave their family in suspense about her whereabouts for a week.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,936
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

Someone gained her trust and she chose to ignore the obvious. Meeting at a park at that hour, no one around, no cameras, telling no one is the perfect setup to be abducted and sold.

 

Why couldn't they meet her at the airport?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,739
Registered: ‎05-19-2012

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

Why couldn't the Lyft driver provide a very good description of the car and/or individual who picked up Ms. Lueck at the park?  That does make me wonder. 

 

Police release last known photos of missing University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck
Posted: 5:43 PM, Jun 25, 2019
 
Updated: 1 hour ago

Police on Tuesday released the last known photos of missing University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck, who disappeared shortly after she was snapped by security cameras deplaning at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Lueck, 23, left the plane at 2:09 a.m. on June 17, and didn't appear to talk to anyone at the airport, police said.

At 2:40 a.m. she took a Lyft from Salt Lake City's airport to Hatch Park in north Salt Lake City, police said.

The Lyft driver told police that an individual met Lueck at the park and the 23-year-old did not appear to be in distress, Salt Lake City Police assistant chief Tim Doubt said.

The college senior hasn't been seen since. There's no evidence of foul play, Doubt said, but police are concerned.

"She isn't somebody that would go off the grid and would disappear," her friend, Juliana Cauley, told "Good Morning America."

Police are desperate to find the individual she met at the park and want that person to call police, Doubt said.

SLC Police Dept.
Pictures of Mackenzie Lueck at the Salt Lake City International airport on June 17, 2019. #missingperson #mackenzielueck
 
 

"We cannot confirm the make and model of the vehicle that picked up Lueck or the description of the person at Hatch park," Doubt said at a news conference Tuesday.

The description of that person is vague and could be man or woman, Doubt said.

To concerned friends like Cauley, it was odd that Lueck didn't go straight home from the airport.

"She has this cat, cute little black cat named Nova. She came back and didn't even go by to see Nova, and that's strange," Cauley said. "That cat's her best friend."

Lyft officials and the driver have spoken to police and have cooperated with the investigation, authorities said.

Lueck, from Southern California, had gone home for her grandmother's funeral, and when she landed in Salt Lake City early that morning, she texted her mother to say she had arrived safely, ABC Los Angeles station KABC reported.

The college senior has missed a midterm exam since she vanished, Doubt said.

To Cauley, that shows "there's something wrong. Because she's never been one to ditch her priorities even when she's been going through tough times."

Lueck was scheduled to fly back to California on Sunday, June 23, but wasn't on the flight, Doubt said.

"I feel very concerned and very worried," her friend Kennedy Stoner told "GMA." "It's out of character for Kenzie to go just off the grid like this. She is very close with her family."

"I would just want anyone to come forward with any information no matter how small it is," Stoner said. "We need to find Kenzie. I'm praying everyday that she's safe."

Doubt asked the public to come forward if they know if the college student has an alternate phone, hidden social media contacts or may be in contact with someone online.

Officials at the University of Utah said they're "deeply concerned about the well-being of Mackenzie 'Kenzie' Lueck and her family."

"The university's dean of students has spoken with Mackenzie’s family to offer support and to express the campus community’s shared hope for her safe return," university offiicals said in a statement said. "The dean’s office is also talking with and providing support to Mackenzie’s classmates."

Cauley read a statement on behalf of the family at Tuesday's news conference, urging anyone with information to call the tip line at 801-799-4420.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,739
Registered: ‎05-19-2012

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

Excellent local news coverage of the disappearance of Ms. Lueck. 

 

https://www.ksl.com/article/46581389/police-release-photos-of-u-student-from-day-she-went-missing

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,739
Registered: ‎05-19-2012

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

Not that the circumstances are similar, but I cannot help but think of Blaze Bernstein who went to a local park at night with a supposed friend and was later found dead.  He, too, was from California.  Blaze was a student at the University of Pennsylvania, as some of you may recall, who was home visiting for Christmas break.

 

Blaze went to the park around 11:00 p.m., I believe.  Ms. Lueck arrived at 3:02 a.m.   Park visiting  at night has inherent dangers.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,120
Registered: ‎03-29-2019

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

Maybe she had a mental breakdown, suicidal.

The Sky looks different when you have someone you love up there.
Highlighted
Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,739
Registered: ‎05-19-2012

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

[ Edited ]

The latest news concerning what the police are looking into regarding Ms. Lueck is suggestive of a not too squeaky clean life.  We shall see if the leads they follow take them to a suspect.

 

There is just suggestion now -- no firm assertion -- of something only slightly different going on with this young lady in her life.  A few friends have stated some things about her love interests.  In a different light, she is Katharine McPhee without all the fame, publicity and famous boyfriend.

 

I just hope this young lady is safe and well, whatever is going on.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,596
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Missing University of Utah Student

[ Edited ]

Reported on Fox a bit ago, LED are digging in the backyard of a home about 5 miles from the park where there has been some burning in a pit. The owner lives on top level of home and rents the bottom as an airB&B. The reporter doesnt know if it is the owner or the renter they are looking for, owner not around tho. Neighbors reportedly smelled smoke just after the girl went missing. LED looking grim per reporter. 

 

@golding76, you are right, says she belongs to a dating site for older wealthy men, they have found this by searching her phone records.

 

Sorry if this reads disjointed, just having my first sip of coffee, early still here in the west.