
Ayoola Adisa Ajayi, 32, as seen during a court appearance December 20, 2019. [Image credit: Jeffrey D. Allred - The Salt Lake Tribune]
Last June Ayoola Ajayi was arrested for the killing of the missing University of Utah student Mackenzie Lueck.
In the days and weeks immediately following the arrest, some disturbing details began to emerge including Ajayi's attempt to employ a handyman to create a secret, soundproof room with hooks on the walls. Investigators also recovered images of child pornography resulting in a charge for possession as well as 19 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Yesterday, October 7, Ajayi, 32, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and desecration of a human body as a part of a plea deal. As a part of the plea deal, some of the charges filed against him - including those related to his possession of the child pornography - were dismissed and the prosecution agreed to not seek the death penalty for the death of Lueck.
Ajayi is expected to be sentenced on October 23 to life in prison by Judge Vernice Trease.
In another unrelated case, Ajayi has additionally pleaded guilty to forcible sexual assault. He will be sentenced in that case as well on October 23.