Utah Department of Corrections/Shutterstock
Update (12/27/18): Newly released audio from a 911-call shows the 21-year-old Lauren McCluskey telling Salt Lake City police she’s worried about how long it was taking for campus police to investigate 37-year-old Melvin Rowland, a sex offender who had lied about his identity.
She was killed by Rowland just days later.
The University of Utah said that their police department is understaffed and that McCluskey’s death could not have been prevented. However, McCluskey’s parents said the university failed to protect their daughter.
Original article:
Melvin Rowland has been identified as the 37-year-old registered sex offender who is the suspected killer of 21-year-old University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey, a communication major and was on the track and field team. McCluskey was found dead in a parked car on Monday, October 22 on the University of Utah campus.
What Happened?
McCluskey, a senior student at the University of Utah, was reportedly shot and killed by 37-year-old Melvin Rowland, who police suggested may have been an ex-boyfriend. He died on Monday, October 23 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Reports from authorities indicate that Rowland — a registered sex offender from Salt Lake City — was seen fleeing the Medical Towers dorm near the time of the shooting. Police say he was not a student at the university.
Additionally, University of Utah Police Services Lt. Brian Wahlin said that authorities chased Rowland to his location, where they found that he had broken into a church. After police cleared the church, they found that Rowland had killed himself.
Police have yet to announce a motive for the shooting.
Who is Melvin Rowland?
Melvin Rowland is the 37-year-old registered sex offender who is the suspected murderer of 21-year-old University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey.
According to court records, Rowland — who lived in Salt Lake City — was convicted of attempted forcible sex abuse and enticing a minor over the internet in 2004.
University of Utah’s Statement on McCluskey’s Death
University of Utah President Ruth V. Watkins released the following lengthy statement:
To our campus community,
It is with tremendous sadness that I share the news that Lauren McCluskey, an accomplished student athlete who came to the University of Utah from Pullman, Washington, was killed Monday night on our campus.
Lauren was a highly regarded member of the university’s track and field team and an outstanding scholar, a senior majoring in communication.
Several members of our university administration spoke with Lauren’s family last night and I have also reached out to them. Her family is understandably in shock at this news about their daughter. They are heartbroken. We have and continue to offer our full support to them at this terrible time.
We have canceled day and evening classes for Tuesday, Oct. 23, to allow our campus community to grieve the senseless loss of this bright, young woman. We have made our counseling and support services available to students, staff and faculty.
The Associated Students of the University of Utah and our Athletics Department are planning a vigil for Lauren on Wednesday at 5 p.m. on the steps of the Park Building. I will be joining them to pay my respects and offer my support to Lauren’s friends, family and the entire campus community.
The police investigation is still underway, but here is a brief overview of what happened last night. Around 8:20 p.m., university police received a report of a possible abduction in a parking lot outside a residence hall. Police responded and as they searched the area, they discovered Lauren deceased in a parked car near the south tower of the Medical Plaza, a residential hall on campus.
Police issued a secure-in-place order for campus as they searched for a suspect. That order remained in effect until just before midnight, after police determined the suspect had left the area. He was later found deceased at an off-campus location.
I deeply appreciate the quick response by University Police Chief Dale Brophy, the university’s Department of Public Safety, residential housing staff, Athletics Department and other staff who responded last night. I also want to thank the Salt Lake City Police Department and other law enforcement agencies for their excellent help and work.
While classes have been canceled today, campus will remain open. The Counseling Center and other support resources are prepared to aid students, and Human Resources has arranged for the Employee Assistance Program to help with counseling for staff and faculty. We encourage members of our campus community to use these services as needed.
As a campus community, we share grief over this tragic loss of life. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Lauren’s family and friends.
A vigil for McCluskey was planned for Wednesday, October 24 on the school’s campus.
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