Police have released new images of what they say is the last known footage of missing University of Utah student MacKenzie Lueck.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported Tuesday that the Salt Lake City Police Department shared images that were taken from surveillance camera footage at Salt Lake City Airport on June 17. On that day, Lueck was last photographed at the airport minutes after getting off the plane at 2:09 a.m. Moments later, the 23-year-old got into a Lyft and was dropped off in North Salt Lake City, Utah.
The SLCPD posted the images on its Twitter page. She is wearing a white jacket or sweater and dark pants and carrying a small black backpack.
Assistant Police Chief Tim Doubt said the Lyft driver told authorities Lueck did not appear to be in distress when she met an unknown person at a North Salt Lake City park around 3 a.m. He said police don't know whether the person was a man or woman, according to the Tribune.
The publication reported that a police investigation determined that Lueck met someone in another vehicle at the park. Doubt said police don't know the make or model of the vehicle.
Doubt said there is no evidence that Lueck is in danger, but the concern is that no one has heard from her. She was not seen in classes, has been dark on social media and was not on a planned flight to Los Angeles on Sunday, The Associated Press reported.
“MacKenzie, in the case you just want to be left alone, please let us know you are safe," Doubt said.
According to University of Utah spokesman Chris Nelson, Lueck has been a student at the school since 2014. She is a part-time student in her senior year majoring in kinesiology and pre-nursing.
Doubt said Lueck has never been charged with a crime in Utah, but she's had three interactions with police in Salt Lake City, the publication reported. She was once ticketed for a moving violation. In another incident, officers were investigating an assault. Authorities would not say whether she was a victim, witness or suspect in the assault. In another instance, she was contacted by police when they found things belonging to her. She picked up those belongings in January, Doubt said.
A dedicated tip line has been set up by the SLCPD specifically for the Lueck investigation. Those with information can call 801-799-4220.
