New Twist in Case of Missing Utah Student

Police say Mackenzie Lueck met somebody at a park
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 25, 2019 2:58 AM CDT
Updated Jun 25, 2019 6:42 AM CDT
Police: Missing Student Met Somebody at Park
Hatch Park is shown Monday, June 24, 2019, in North Salt Lake, Utah.   (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

A new twist in the disappearance of University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck: Police say the 23-year-old met somebody at a park in North Salt Lake around 3am on Monday, June 17, soon after she returned to Utah from her grandmother's funeral in California, CNN reports. Lueck, who took a Lyft from the airport, "was met at Hatch Park by an individual in a vehicle," Assistant Salt Lake City Police Chief Tim Doubt told reporters Monday. "The Lyft driver left Mackenzie at the park with that person and stated that Mackenzie did not appear to be in any type of distress." Lueck was reported missing Thursday. Friends and relatives say the disappearance is entirely out of character and they are very concerned. Over the last week, she has missed midterm exams and a family wedding. Police say her phone has been off since June 17.

"Our primary goal is to find Mackenzie and bring her home," her family said in a statement Monday, per Fox13. Doubt said there is no evidence of foul play and while there may be a chance she has voluntarily gone "off the grid," officers want to make sure she is OK, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. "Mackenzie, we are asking you to please reach out," he said. "We just want to make sure that you are safe, and we will respect your wishes." He said officers have been examining surveillance footage from around the park and speaking to people in the area. Private investigator Rob Joseph tells ABC4 that he has found Lueck's profile on a dating website, where her last activity was the day before she disappeared. (More Utah stories.)

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