Who killed Lauren McCluskey? ‘Dateline NBC’ Season 32 revisits 2018 murder of Utah athlete by ex-lover

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH: In the heart-wrenching case of Lauren McCluskey, a University of Utah athlete, the details surrounding her untimely demise paint a harrowing picture. On a seemingly ordinary October evening, 21-year-old Lauren, a dedicated student-athlete with a promising future, was walking back to her apartment when tragedy struck. The culprit behind her abduction and subsequent murder was none other than her former boyfriend, Melvin Rowland, a man with a troubling history of manipulation and violence.

Lauren's story is one marked by a sequence of events that raises profound questions about the circumstances leading up to her tragic end. The underlying reasons, however, for Lauren's breakup with Rowland were rooted in deception and manipulation. She discovered that he had lied about his identity and criminal history, leading to a loss of trust and ultimately prompting their separation.



Lauren was shot by her ex-boyfriend Melvin (NBC)

In the days leading up to her tragic demise, Lauren became increasingly concerned for her safety. She reached out to authorities multiple times, seeking help and protection from the escalating threats and harassment she endured from Rowland. Despite her efforts to seek assistance, the response from law enforcement fell short. Lauren's pleas for protection were not met with the urgency and support she desperately needed.

The devastating incident took place on the University of Utah campus, a setting that should have been safe and familiar to Lauren. It occurred on October 22, 2018, at approximately 8:21 p.m, as she was walking back to her apartment, unaware of the danger lurking nearby. It was then that Melvin approached her as she walked through the parking lot, with his hood up and a phone to his ear, attempting to disguise himself. Unaware of the danger, Lauren walked past him. Suddenly, she cried out, "No, no, no!" indicating her realization of the imminent threat.

Melvin then assaulted Lauren, shoving her into a vehicle and shooting her multiple times. The attack left her fatally wounded, and she tragically succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Police later discovered Lauren's body in a parked car outside her apartment building's dormitory at the University of Utah's Salt Lake City campus.

Shortly after Melvin killed Lauren, he took his own life. He fled the scene and was later spotted by a Salt Lake City police officer near downtown, approximately 4 miles west of the university campus. Upon being pursued by the police, Rowland broke into the Trinity AME Church. As law enforcement officers entered the premises, they heard a gunshot. Rowland was found dead inside the church, having shot himself with a .40-caliber Beretta.

'Datelien NBC' Season 32 revisits this case again on Sunday, April 14, as Josh Mankiewicz reports Lauren's case again on NBC, along with featuring J ill and Matt McClusckey, Diamond Jackson and Debbie Dujanovic.

Who was Lauren McCluskey?

Lauren McCluskey was a talented young athlete and student whose life was tragically cut short by her ex-lover. Born in 1997, Lauren grew up in Pullman, Washington, where she excelled in track and field from a young age. Known for her athleticism and academic achievements, she pursued her passion for both sports and learning at the University of Utah.

In October 2018, at the age of 21, Lauren was found dead in a parked car near her dormitory on the University of Utah campus. The cause of her death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds, and her ex-boyfriend, Melvin Rowland, was identified as the perpetrator. After killing Lauren, Rowland took his own life.

Leading up to her tragic death, Lauren had been subjected to harassment, stalking, and threats from Rowland. Despite reaching out for help from university authorities, her concerns were not adequately addressed. In the aftermath of her murder, Lauren's family pursued legal action against the University of Utah, seeking accountability for their failure to protect her. Her story sparked national conversations about campus safety and the importance of supporting victims of domestic violence.

Through the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, established in her memory, efforts continue to improve campus safety and provide support to those affected by intimate partner violence.



Lauren was an athlete from Utah (NBC)

Why did Lauren McCluskey break up with Melvin Rowland?

Lauren McCluskey decided to break up with Melvin Rowland after discovering disturbing truths about his identity and past. Rowland, who initially presented himself as someone he was not, was later revealed as a registered sex offender, prompting Lauren to end their relationship.

In an interview with ABC News, Lauren's father, Matt McCluskey, recounted the moment when his daughter confronted Rowland about his deception, stating, "She confronted Rowland face to face in her dorm room, he owned up, and McCluskey formally ended their relationship." This confrontation marked the end of their romantic involvement, as Lauren could no longer trust Rowland's honesty and felt compelled to prioritize her safety.

Moreover, Rowland's subsequent actions, including harassment, stalking, and threats, further solidified Lauren's decision to distance herself from him. His manipulative behavior and attempts to extort money from her only reinforced her resolve to sever ties with him.



Melvin was a sex offender (NBC)

Lauren McCluskey complained about being 'harassed' by Melvin Rowland

Lauren McCluskey first reported being harassed by Melvin Rowland on October 12, 2018, when she reached out to the University of Utah campus police to seek assistance. According to reports, she expressed concerns about Rowland's behavior and the harassment she was experiencing from him.

During her initial contact with Officer Miguel Deras, Lauren shared details about the harassment and threats she was receiving from Rowland, according to an investigation done by ESPN. However, instead of taking appropriate action to address her concerns, Deras allegedly mishandled the situation. According to reports, he failed to adequately investigate her complaints and did not take proactive measures to ensure her safety.

Furthermore, on October 13, 2018, Lauren reported extortion to the police, indicating that Rowland was demanding money from her to prevent him from posting explicit photos of them. Despite these serious allegations, the police did not take decisive action to intervene and protect Lauren from further harm. Despite her repeated attempts to seek help and alert authorities to the danger she was facing, she was ultimately failed by the system that was supposed to protect her.

In an interview with ABC News, Lauren's father expressed frustration over the police's handling of the situation, stating, "The officers never checked Lauren’s killer’s offender status. After the police took her statement, they could have easily found out that Rowland was on parole and put him in jail right then."



Lauren was harassed by Melvin before her killing (NBC)

Did Utah police leak Lauren McCluskey’s private photos?

The alleged leaking of Lauren McCluskey's private photos by Utah police remains a subject of investigation and controversy. While there are allegations that Officer Miguel Deras, to whom McCluskey entrusted the photos, according to the Washington Post, improperly shared them with a male colleague without a legitimate law enforcement reason, it is essential to note that these accusations are still being investigated.

An internal investigation by the University of Utah's police department initially found no evidence to support the allegations against Deras. However, concerns about the thoroughness and impartiality of this investigation prompted the decision to commission an external review of the matter. University Police Chief Rodney Chatman acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a transparent and unbiased investigation to ensure justice for McCluskey and her family.

Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen also emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations against Deras. He stated that while the accusations were serious, they remained unproven, and the department would await the outcome of the investigation before taking any action.



Lauren's pleas were not heard enough by Utah police (NBC)

Lauren McCluskey’s parents sue Utah university

Lauren McCluskey's parents sued the University of Utah as a lawsuit was filed in response to what they perceived as a failure on the part of the university to adequately protect their daughter, leading to her untimely death. The legal action sought to hold the university accountable for what they considered negligence in handling their daughter's concerns and ensuring her safety while she was a student there.

The lawsuit alleged that the university did not take sufficient action to address the harassment and threats that Lauren had reported to campus police prior to her murder. It also claimed that the university failed to properly investigate her complaints and provide adequate protection despite being aware of the danger she faced.

In October 2020, it was reported that the University of Utah reached a $10.5 million settlement with Lauren McCluskey's parents. Additionally, the university agreed to donate $3 million to the Lauren McCluskey Foundation. This settlement came after the McCluskey family filed a lawsuit contending that the university violated the state constitution.

Jill and Matt McCluskey, Lauren's parents, issued a statement expressing their views on the settlement and the university's response to their daughter's case. They emphasized the importance of addressing the failures that led to Lauren's death and ensuring that similar tragedies do not occur in the future.



Lauren's mother Jill (NBC)

Why did Melvin Rowland shoot himself after killing Lauren McCluskey?

Melvin Rowland was found dead by police around 1 a.m. on the night of Lauren McCluskey's murder. He had taken his own life by shooting himself inside the Trinity AME Church in Salt Lake City.

Melvin's actions on the night he killed Lauren McCluskey and then himself were likely driven by a combination of factors, including fear of facing consequences for his actions, a sense of desperation, and possibly underlying mental health issues.

Rowland shot Lauren McCluskey multiple times in a parking lot near her apartment on the University of Utah campus. It's believed that he committed this violent act as a response to feeling rejected and exposed after Lauren discovered his true identity as a registered sex offender and ended their relationship. Moreover, it's speculated that Rowland's motive may have also been fueled by Lauren's attempts to seek help from authorities regarding his harassment and threats, which could have jeopardized his freedom and reputat