Where is Melvin Rowland now? ‘Dateline NBC’ revisits chilling case of ex-love who killed University of Utah student
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: Melvin Rowland, the man behind the tragic killing of Lauren McCluskey, is no longer alive as he took his own life shortly after committing the heinous act. On the fateful day of October 22, 2018, Rowland confronted Lauren outside her dormitory at the University of Utah. He forcibly abducted her and subsequently shot her multiple times, resulting in her untimely death. After this, he also ended up taking his own life.
Melvin killed Lauren following their breakup, which occurred after Lauren discovered that Rowland had lied to her about his identity, age, and criminal history. Rowland's motive for the murder appears to be rooted in his inability to accept the end of their relationship and his desire to exert control over Lauren. Additionally, it's believed that Rowland's escalating behavior, including harassment and extortion attempts, stemmed from his anger and resentment towards Lauren for ending their relationship.
In the aftermath of Lauren's death, it became evident that there were numerous missed opportunities by campus police and authorities to intervene and protect her. Despite Lauren's repeated attempts to seek help from campus police and report Rowland's harassment and threats, her concerns were not taken seriously. Officers failed to recognize the warning signs of escalating intimate partner violence and did not conduct a thorough investigation into her complaints. Additionally, there were systemic failures within the university's police department, including the mishandling of evidence and a lack of communication among officers.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 delves deeper into the chilling case on April 14 at 10 PM ET as Josh Mankiewicz reports viewers with lesser known facts about Lauren's murder, featuring Jill and Matt McClusckey, Diamond Jackson and Debbie Dujanovic.
Who was Melvin Rowland?
Melvin Rowland was a man whose life was marked by a troubled past and a criminal history. Born in New York City in 1981, Rowland had a tumultuous upbringing. He was adopted at a young age by two Belizean immigrants living in Brooklyn. Rowland's childhood was characterized by instability, as he moved between schools and group homes across the United States.
In his adult years, Rowland's life became entangled with the criminal justice system. He had several encounters with law enforcement, leading to charges and convictions. One significant incident occurred in 2003 when Rowland was charged with rape and enticing a minor over the internet. However, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of attempted forcible sexual abuse, along with enticing a minor, resulting in a prison sentence of one to 15 years.
Despite being eligible for parole in 2005, Rowland's requests were denied due to his failure to complete sex offender therapy. Subsequent parole hearings in 2008 and 2010 were also unsuccessful, as Rowland had not fulfilled the requirements for release. However, in 2012, after completing the necessary treatment, he was granted parole, marking his release from prison.
Melvin Rowland was known for his manipulative tendencies, a trait that manifested in his interactions with others. In the case of Lauren McCluskey, Rowland's manipulation took a sinister turn when he brutally shot her dead.
Melvin Rowland threatens ex Lauren McCluskey after split
After Lauren McCluskey ended her relationship with Melvin Rowland upon discovering his deceit about his identity and criminal history, Rowland's behavior took a disturbing turn. Fueled by anger and a desire to regain control over McCluskey, Rowland resorted to threats and harassment.
Rowland's threats were not idle; they were designed to instill fear and intimidation in McCluskey. He used various means of communication to reach out to her, including phone calls, text messages, and social media. In these messages, he made explicit threats against McCluskey's safety and well-being, indicating a willingness to harm her if she did not comply with his demands.
Furthermore, Rowland's threats were often accompanied by manipulative tactics aimed at coercing McCluskey into engaging with him. He exploited personal information and vulnerabilities to exert control over her, leveraging their past relationship to intimidate her into submission. The constant barrage of threats and harassment left McCluskey in a state of fear and distress.
Despite her efforts to seek help from authorities and distance herself from Rowland, his persistent behavior continued to torment her, creating a pervasive sense of insecurity and vulnerability. Ultimately, Rowland's threats escalated into a tragic act of violence, resulting in the loss of McCluskey's life.
What action did the Utah University take against Melvin Rowland?
The University of Utah's response to Melvin Rowland's harassment of Lauren McCluskey has faced significant scrutiny, with allegations of failures in addressing McCluskey's complaints and ensuring her safety. McCluskey reported multiple instances of harassment and extortion by Rowland to university authorities. She expressed concerns about her safety and well-being, detailing the threatening behavior she experienced from Rowland following their breakup.
Despite her efforts to seek help and protection, the university's response fell short, exposing critical gaps in its handling of the situation. McCluskey's complaints to campus police about Rowland's behavior were not adequately addressed or taken seriously. Despite providing evidence of the harassment, including explicit threats and extortion attempts, McCluskey's pleas for assistance were met with insufficient action.
How did Melvin Rowland plan to kill Lauren McCluskey?
Melvin Rowland's plan to kill Lauren McCluskey unfolded with calculated steps, demonstrating a disturbing level of premeditation and intent. On October 22, 2018, in the evening around 8:20 p.m., Melvin Rowland confronted Lauren McCluskey outside her dormitory. He forcibly took her to the car he brought with him and shoots her multiple times.
Meanwhile, Lauren's parents, who were speaking to her on the phone during the attack, immediately called 911 for help. The police swiftly began searching for Lauren on the campus grounds and tragically discovered her lifeless body.
Why did Melvin Rowland kill himself after murdering Lauren McCluskey?
After murdering Lauren McCluskey, Melvin Rowland chose to end his own life. He fled the scene and was later spotted by a Salt Lake City police officer near downtown at around 12:56 a.m. on October 23, 2018, about 4 miles west of the university campus. Upon spotting the officer, Rowland ran and broke into the Trinity AME Church.
As the police approached, they heard a gunshot. When they entered the church, they found Rowland's lifeless body, with a .40-caliber Beretta handgun lying next to him. This tragic event occurred shortly after Rowland had killed Lauren McCluskey, indicating that he chose to take his own life rather than face the consequences of his actions and be imprisoned again.
Utah university agrees Lauren’s murder was ‘preventable’ during trials
The University of Utah had acknowledged that the murder of Lauren McCluskey was "preventable" during the trials surrounding her tragic death, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. This acknowledgment came as part of a legal settlement reached with Lauren's parents, who had filed civil rights lawsuits against the university. The settlement, which totaled $13.5 million, marked the end of a legal battle that spanned two years.
The university's admission of fault was a significant departure from its earlier stance, shortly after the murder, when it claimed there was no reason to believe the tragedy could have been prevented. This shift in position underscored the gravity of the mistakes made by the university in handling Lauren's case and its failure to adequately protect her.
An independent review conducted after Lauren's death identified several shortcomings in the university's response and recommended improvements to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The settlement agreement between the university and Lauren's parents acknowledged these failures and committed to implementing reforms to enhance campus safety.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.
