MACKENZIE LUECK HOMICIDE

Ayoola Ajayi Sentenced To Life For Murder Of Mackenzie Lueck

Oct 23, 2020, 8:52 AM | Updated: Dec 3, 2020, 9:32 am

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The man who pleaded guilty to the murder of University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck has been sentenced in Third District Court.

Sixteen months after the horrific murder, Ayoola Ajayi, 32, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Family members faced the killer for the first time, and condemned Ajayi for stealing her from their lives.

“It haunts me daily that I was not able to protect her,” said Lueck’s eldest cousin who last saw her when they attended their grandmother’s funeral in California, just before Mackenzie came back to Salt Lake City. “This is a nightmare you can’t wake up from. I will never be able to forgive what happened to her. I will never forgive the monster who took her life.”

Ajayi made a plea agreement with prosecutors earlier in October. He admitted that he killed Lueck on June 17, 2019 with a blow to the head, then burned her body in his backyard, and buried the remains in a shallow grave in Logan Canyon.

As part of the deal, Ajayi pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and desecration of a body, and in exchange, prosecutors took the death penalty off the table.

He also faced aggravated kidnapping and obstruction charges, but those were dropped.

Lueck’s parents spoke emotionally in court Friday about their intelligent and caring daughter who was so full of life.

“I won’t be able to hug her and tell her how proud of her I am, and see her amazing smile and big brown eyes telling me how much she loves me,” said her father, Greg.

They lamented the fact that they will never get to see their 23-year old daughter graduate, marry, and have her own family.

“My life has been changed due to the selfish, premeditated decision you made on June 17, 2019,” said her mother, Diana. “Instead of planning my daughter’s graduation party, I planned her memorial.”

Investigators used video surveillance and cell phone records to place Lueck with her killer after her arrival at the airport and track his movements. They said the data helped lead to his arrest.

Detectives also found a freshly dug site in Ajayi’s backyard where he burned the student’s body with gasoline before taking the remains to Logan Canyon.

Ajayi made a brief apology to the family, acknowledging that it will not bring her back.

The family said they are grateful for the support and outpouring of love that people have shown for Mackenzie and their family.

“We are blessed and honored to have Mackenzie in our lives for the last 23 years,” said her uncle, Gordon Stephens, reading a statement from the family. “Her memories and her spirit will continue to live with us.”

In sentencing Ajayi to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the judge said his crimes were among the worst of the worst.

Ajayi also appeared in court earlier this month on 19 felony accounts linked to child pornography that was allegedly found on his computer.

KSL 5 TV Live

Top Stories

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.
2 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.
2 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.
3 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.
3 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.
3 years ago
(KSL TV)...
KSL TV

Mackenzie Lueck Murder Suspect’s Home Up For Sale

The former Salt Lake City residence of the man charged in the murder of MacKenzie Lueck, has been put up for sale.
3 years ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...
PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.
Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...
BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.
Close up of an offset printing machine during production...
Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.
vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...
Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.
Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...
Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.
notebook with password notes highlighted...
PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.
Ayoola Ajayi Sentenced To Life For Murder Of Mackenzie Lueck