MACKENZIE LUECK HOMICIDE

Authorities Digging In Yard Where Search Warrant Served In Lueck Case

Jun 27, 2019, 5:34 AM | Updated: 2:10 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – After serving a search warrant Wednesday for a house in the Rose Park area, authorities worked through the night removing items from the home.

Video from Chopper 5 also showed police working in the back yard of the residence near 550 North and 1000 West, digging holes beneath canopies.

Police haven’t said — if anything — they have found in the backyard, but they are continuing to follow leads Thursday morning in the Mackenzie Lueck missing person case.

“After developing leads in the Mackenzie Lueck missing person case, we have served a search warrant on this home here in Rose Park,” said Salt Lake City Police Assistant Chief Tim Doubt. “Obviously we are treating this with a high degree of care and caution, as it is an open case.”

“Given the nature of this case, we just don’t want to make any mistakes,” he added.

Officials have not said what exactly led them to this particular house.

KSL TV has identified the owner of the home, a 31-year-old man. Officials have not publicly released his identity. According to state court records, though, it does not appear the homeowner has a criminal record in Utah.

The property has been involved in rentals on Airbnb, but it isn’t known if it was being rented at the time the search warrant was served or at the time Lueck disappeared. A Facebook search linked the owner of the home with the Airbnb listings, with the same photos used on both accounts.

Neighbors said the owner lived in the top floor of the house and used the lower level for Airbnb rentals.

After serving the warrant at about noon Wednesday, authorities appeared to be wrapping up work at the scene at approximately 5 a.m. Thursday.

A police presence was still on scene Thursday morning.

Lueck was last documented on camera at the Salt Lake International Airport, where she could be seen texting. Police have identified the person she was texting and have said that person is not a suspect.

The cameras at Hatch Park in North Salt Lake, where Lueck was dropped off by a Lyft driver, are not functioning cameras.

RELATED STORIES

Home Searched In Connection With Lueck Disappearance

Online Dating Site Surfaces In Search For Missing University Of Utah Student

Mackenzie Lueck’s Timeline: What We Know So Far

KSL 5 TV Live

Mackenzie Lueck Homicide

SWAT officers take 31-year-old Ayoola Ajayi into custody on suspicion of the murder of 23-year-old ...

Brittany Glas & Jared Turner

Call between police, Ajayi before arrest released to KSL Investigators

A nearly 10-minute phone call between police and the suspect in the disappearance of University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck was among the hundreds of photos, videos and documents released by the Salt Lake City Police Department.

3 years ago

...

Brittany Glas & Jared Turner, KSL TV

Police Release New Photos, Info In Mackenzie Lueck Murder Case

More than 18 months after University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck was abducted and murdered, we have new insight into the police investigation.

3 years ago

...

Jed Boal & Brittany Glas, KSL TV

Ayoola Ajayi Sentenced To Life For Murder Of Mackenzie Lueck

The man who pleaded guilty to the murder of University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck was sentence Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

3 years ago

Salt Lake police arrest Ayoola Adisa Ajayi, 31, at an apartment complex at 1028 S. West Temple on F...

Brittany Glas & Jared Turner

Expert theorizes Ayoola Ajayi was becoming a serial killer

The KSL Investigators sat down with a retired FBI special agent who said he believes the man who pleaded guilty to the murder of University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck was on his way to becoming a career killer.

4 years ago

Ayoola Ajayi, age 32, appears in court on  Wednesday, October 7, 2020 to plead guilty in the kidnap...

Jared Turner & Andrew Adams, KSL TV

Ayoola Ajayi Pleads Guilty To Murder Of Mackenzie Lueck

Ayoola Ajayi plead guilty to murdering University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck in June 2019. In exchange for the guilty pleas, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

4 years ago

Salt Lake police arrest Ayoola Adisa Ajayi, 31, at an apartment complex at 1028 S. West Temple on F...

LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Associated Press

Ayoola Ajayi Pleads Not Guilty In Child Porn Case

A tech worker accused of killing a Utah college student has pleaded not guilty to 19 felony counts linked to child pornography allegedly found on his computer.

4 years ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Authorities Digging In Yard Where Search Warrant Served In Lueck Case