20/20 – “Running Out Of Time” (Rebroadcast)

Podcast: 20/20 by ABC News
Date: August 30, 2025
Summary by PodcastSummarizer.ai

Main Theme

This episode presents the tragic true story of Lauren McCluskey, a University of Utah student-athlete murdered by her ex-boyfriend Melvin Rowland. It explores Lauren’s life, the events leading to her death, and the systemic institutional failures—by campus police, university housing, the justice system, and parole authorities—that allowed a known sex offender to manipulate, stalk, and ultimately kill Lauren, despite repeated cries for help. Through extensive investigation, new interviews, and never-before-seen evidence, the episode asks: Could Lauren’s death have been prevented?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Lauren’s Life and Personality

• Childhood & Talents [05:02]

  • Raised in Pullman, WA; athletic from a young age. Broke records as a child and excelled in dance, singing, and academics.
  • “She was the kind of friend that you could rely on…it wouldn’t matter the time or the day.”
  • Known for resilience, sensitivity, and kindness.

• College Years [07:20]

  • Senior at University of Utah, track athlete, excelling in communications and looking forward to graduation.
  • "She was such a multidimensional person...She was Lauren, who was an athlete, but she was also a comedian, a dancer..."

Meeting Melvin Rowland & Escalation [09:18]

• Meeting “Sean” (Melvin Rowland) [09:45]
  • Lauren met Rowland at a Salt Lake City bar; he lied about his age (claimed 28, was 37) and identity (real name Melvin Shawn Rowland, a registered sex offender).
  • Early relationship started like a “fairy tale” but quickly turned controlling and alarming.
• Warning Signs [12:50]
  • Friends observed control: “He told me to wear a T-shirt and jeans, so that’s why I’m wearing this.” (Friend, 13:55)
  • Friends and a housing advisor raised concerns to the university: new boyfriend’s odd behavior, talking about guns.

The Discovery and Lauren’s Attempts for Help [17:32]

• Uncovering the Truth [17:55]
  • Lauren discovers Rowland's real identity and criminal past; plans to break up with him with support from family and friends.
• Initial Police Engagement [20:33]
  • Lauren and her mother both contact campus police for safety during car retrieval from Rowland, but police response is minimal.
• Escalation of Harassment [22:34]
  • Rowland, using spoofed phone numbers and fake identities, harasses, stalks, and blackmails Lauren—including catastrophic threats and emotional manipulation.
  • Lauren files blackmail/extortion reports with university and city police (Oct. 13), and repeatedly calls for updates and protection.
• Police Response Failures [30:09]
  • Officer Miguel Darris and Detective Kayla Dallef’s lack of urgency and errors in investigation, delayed follow-ups, and minimization of Lauren’s fears.

Critical Systemic Failures & Institutional Apathy

• Communication Lapses [37:21]

  • Lauren’s reports got stalled; neither officer nor detective took decisive action, even with evidence pointing to Rowland, a recent parolee and known offender.
  • “She specifically told me that. And then I said, it’s their job. They’re supposed to listen to you and help you.” (Friend, 38:10)

• Campus Security Gaps & Stalking [41:12]

  • Rowland stalked Lauren on campus in a Deadpool costume, surveilled her movements, and exploited access to her email (from her logging in on his device).
  • Surveillance footage revealed he was lurking around Lauren’s dorm hours before the murder.

The Night of the Murder [50:22]

• The Attack [50:30]

  • As Lauren walked home from class (Oct. 22, 2018), while talking to her parents, she suddenly cried out: “No, no, no, no, no!” – then fell silent [52:28].
  • Her parents heard her apparent abduction in real time.
  • “I knew that her life was in danger at that time.” (Lauren’s father, 52:45)

• Initial Police Response & Shelter-in-Place [53:41]

  • Police lockdown across campus, massive manhunt, confusion and delays in sharing information.

• Aftermath: Discovery & Manhunt [57:12]

  • Lauren found shot and killed in a car. Rowland seen leaving, goes on a date with another woman that night, then takes his own life during police pursuit.

Examination of Systemic Failures

• Law Enforcement and University Mishandling [01:03:40]

  • Investigations reveal numerous red flags and missed opportunities at every institutional level.
  • Officer Darris failed to interview Rowland; Detective Dallef was inexperienced and given poor direction; parole authorities ignored warning signs.

• Failure to Check Parole Status [01:09:10]

  • No one at campus police bothered to check Rowland’s parole or criminal status.
  • “Had they seen it and saw that he was on parole and contacted you, what would have happened next? …I would have gone to pick him up.” (Parole officer, 1:12:00)

• Handling of Evidence/Betrayal of Trust [01:15:15]

  • Officers inappropriately shared Lauren’s explicit photos submitted for the extortion investigation; internal probes led to firings but no criminal accountability.

Rowland’s Criminal History

• Priors & Manipulation [01:23:03]
  • Rowland’s record: rape, enticing minors, multiple parole violations, admitted to further uncharged sexual assaults in parole hearings.
• Manipulation and Violence [01:26:00]
  • “I would say every female that I came across… I used my manipulation tactics to get what I wanted.” (Rowland, parole hearing, 1:26:41)
  • Two additional rapes admitted and ignored by parole board.

Institutional & Judicial Apathy

• Avoidance of Responsibility [01:36:03]
  • University president’s public statement: “This report does not offer us a reason to believe that this tragedy could have been prevented…” (1:37:00)
  • Journalistic critique: “It defies logic. It defies facts. It was written by a lawyer. Everyone was really trying to avoid it.”

Family’s Fight for Accountability

• Lawsuit & Settlement [01:49:00]
  • $56 million suit filed by Lauren's parents for “deliberate indifference.”
  • Eventually settled for $13.5 million; funds used to support the Lauren McCluskey Foundation (campus safety, animal welfare, amateur athletics). University renamed facilities in Lauren’s honor.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “She did everything right. She said, no, no, no. And I knew something was wrong.” – Lauren’s friend [04:50]

• “The justice system failed her in so many different ways. She did everything right. We let her down.” – Reporter, [01:50:12]

• “She was on the phone with her mom when she started yelling ‘no, no, no…’ It sounded like someone might have been grabbing her or something.” – Responding officer, [52:28]

• “There’s only two things that could have occurred. One, the writing on the wall was there and it was simply ignored. Or those who were looking at the wall couldn’t read.” – Investigative journalist, [1:39:40]

• “If somebody called you and told you what he had said, what would have happened right then?”
  “I would have gone to pick him up…Put him in handcuffs…He would have gone back to prison.” – Parole officer, [1:45:11]

• “I do not want to be in this world without Lauren, but being stuck here, I have no choice but to try to make this world better. Women must be believed and taken seriously when they ask for help.” – Jill McCluskey (Lauren’s mother), [1:51:20]

• “Accountability is very important; it allows them to make real change. It’s not a good strategy to try to keep secrets. It’s not the right thing to do, and it’s not very smart.” – Lauren’s father, [1:58:42]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Lauren’s Early Life / College Life: 05:02 – 09:18
• Relationship with Rowland Begins / Escalates: 09:18 – 17:30
• Discovery of Rowland’s Criminal Past: 17:32 – 20:33
• Police Reports & Escalation: 20:33 – 30:09
• Police Response Gaps & Institutional Failures: 30:09 – 41:12
• Stalking & Final Days: 41:12 – 50:22
• Lauren’s Abduction & Murder: 50:22 – 57:12
• Investigation & Systemic Failures Uncovered: 01:03:40 – 01:36:03
• Family Lawsuit & Settlement: 01:49:00 – End

Closing Reflections

“Running Out Of Time” details an agonizing modern American tragedy that exposes how even clear danger signals and a victim’s conscientious pleas can be repeatedly dismissed by the very authorities meant to protect her. The episode closes not just with Lauren’s devastating loss but also a call to honor her legacy by enacting real change, building systems that never again leave their most vulnerable “running out of time.”

To learn more or support the cause, visit the Lauren McCluskey Foundation (www.laurenmccluskey.org).
Streaming documentary available on ESPN.