True Crime with Kendall Rae
Episode: Her Ex Lied About His Identity, Then Took Her Life: The Murder of Lauren McCluskey
Date: October 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged and thorough episode, host Kendall Rae examines the tragic story of Lauren McCluskey—a gifted University of Utah athlete who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, Melvin Rowland, after he manipulated, lied to, stalked, and extorted her. The episode focuses not only on Lauren’s vibrant life and her accomplishments, but also on the systemic failures by campus police and university officials who repeatedly ignored her pleas for help, ultimately contributing to her untimely death. With sensitivity and righteous anger, Kendall highlights the mistakes at every turn and explores the legacy Lauren’s family has worked to build in her honor, while pushing for lasting campus safety reforms.

Main Themes

• Celebrating Lauren McCluskey’s life, character, and achievements
• The dangers of dating violence and manipulation
• Institutional failures by campus police and the University of Utah
• The impact of Lauren’s murder on her family, friends, and the community
• Ongoing reforms, the work of the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, and the need for cultural change regarding victim advocacy and campus safety

Episode Structure and Key Segments

1. Introduction and Lauren’s Background

[01:06–10:30]

• Kendall expresses the difficulty and importance of covering Lauren’s case

  “The way that she was failed completely shattered me.” (Kendall Rae, 01:11)

• Lauren’s early life: born Feb 12, 1997, in Berkeley, CA; moved to Pullman, WA; parents were university professors
• Highly talented and determined: elite track and field athlete, breaking records from age 8
• Academics: studied communications at University of Utah on full scholarship
• Volunteering: active at YMCA, Special Olympics, animal shelter

2. College, Friendships, and Meeting Melvin Rowland

[10:31–16:40]

• Lauren blossoms: close friendships, involved on campus, outgoing
• Meets “Sean Fields” (later revealed as Melvin Rowland) at a downtown bar; they quickly become inseparable
• Early courtship: roses, thoughtful dates
• Relationship turns rapidly abusive: manipulation, control, emotional abuse

  “Practically overnight Sean just became this manipulative asshole, really showed his true colors.” (Kendall Rae, 16:31)

3. Red Flags, Discovery of Lies, and Initial Attempts to Get Help

[16:41–22:44]

• Friends, especially Diamond (RA), alarmed by escalating control, talk of guns
• Lauren discovers “Sean” is actually Melvin Rowland, a 37-year-old convicted sex offender
• Distressed, Lauren plans and executes a careful breakup, but fears persist because Rowland unpredictable and threatening

4. First Reports to Campus Police; Mishandling Begins

[20:35–31:11]

• Lauren and her mother Jill both contact University of Utah Police, expressing concerns for Lauren’s safety, especially during car exchange post-breakup
• Campus police seem cooperative at first: security escorts, phone calls
• However, the dismissal and inaction quickly surface

  “The problem, though, is that Diamond’s report fell on deaf ears.” (Kendall Rae, 16:54)

• Harassment escalates: Lauren receives disturbing texts, some even urging her to end her life

5. Escalation: Stalking, Sextortion, and Continued Police Neglect

[31:12–40:01]

• Rowland continues harassment—impersonates others, sends threatening and manipulative messages
• Sextortion: threatens to release intimate photos unless Lauren pays him $1,000 (which she does)
• Lauren and friend Alex physically visit campus police to report escalating threats

  “They were just repeatedly told it was a scam… campus police did practically nothing.” (Kendall Rae, 37:16)

• Salt Lake City PD redirects Lauren back to campus police due to jurisdiction

6. Catastrophic Systemic Failures and the Lead-up to the Murder

[40:02–54:33]

• Despite Lauren explicitly identifying Melvin’s criminal history, multiple reports, and clear immediate danger, campus police fail to act
• Officer Miguel Daris later excuses inaction:

  “He said he wasn't worried for Lauren's safety because she never told him she was afraid. And she also never mentioned domestic violence….” (Kendall Rae, 87:44)

• Rowland stalks Lauren openly, even infiltrating her dorm disguised
• The night of the murder: Lauren is on the phone with her mom when attacked; her parents hear her abduction live

  “No, no, no, no, no!” (Lauren McCluskey, last words, 53:57)

• Discovery of Lauren’s abandoned backpack and subsequent desperate calls to police by her family

7. Aftermath: Investigation, More Failures, and Community Response

[54:34–65:30]

• Authorities quickly identify Rowland as the killer; he flees, ultimately taking his own life
• University suspends classes; large public memorial held
• Grief and anger sweep the community; friends and family, including Diamond, struggle with guilt

  “Law enforcement definitely did have the power to stop him many times… and they just didn't.” (Kendall Rae, 63:45)

8. Institutional Accountability and Legal Action

[65:31–80:00]

• Initial police and university responses are defensive, misleadingly claiming “appropriate steps” were taken
• Outrage grows as reviews expose severe failures, both systemic and by individuals
• Detailed examination of Melvin Rowland’s criminal history and repeated, misguided parole
• Gun used in the murder traced back to an illegally obtained firearm
• Internal review yields 30 policy recommendations and some eventual institutional changes

  “Had you actually been building a case against this guy, I don't think I'd be telling you Lauren's story today.” (Kendall Rae, 65:44)

• The $56 million lawsuit by Lauren’s family leads to a significant $13.5 million settlement, most of which they channel into positive action via the Lauren McCluskey Foundation

9. The Lauren McCluskey Foundation and Legacy

[80:01–88:41]

• Three pillars: Campus safety, animal welfare (cat adoption), amateur athlete scholarships
• Launch of “Lauren’s Promise”—a national campaign for teachers to publicly pledge belief and advocacy for students in danger

  “I will listen and believe you if someone is threatening you.” (Lauren’s Promise, 85:34)

• Campus Safety Score project: quantifying and incentivizing campus safety improvements
• Lauren’s name memorialized in animal shelters and athletic facilities

10. Continuing Challenges and Final Reflections

[88:42–End]

• Despite reforms, similar campus failings continue: another student murdered at University of Utah in 2022
• Reminder of collective responsibility: bystanders' obligation to report, institutions’ obligation to act
• Kendall closes with Lauren’s father’s words:

  “Remember Lauren Jennifer McCluskey, remember how she lived, remember how she died. And through your actions honor her memory.” (Kendall Rae, paraphrasing, 92:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On institutional neglect:

  “Every single person involved in this case in the position of law enforcement should be absolutely ashamed of themselves.” (Kendall Rae, 58:31)

• Lauren’s friend Diamond’s heartbreak:

  “She broke down in tears saying how much she hated herself for not doing more…” (Kendall Rae, 62:55)

• On Lauren’s character:

  “She was very much a girl's girl and always cheering on her teammates and those around her. I just think people like that are the best kind of people.” (Kendall Rae, 08:50)

• On the need for change:

  “Unless all of our schools start taking safety more seriously, I'm worried that it will keep happening. In fact, I know it will.” (Kendall Rae, 91:39)

• Lauren’s father’s final wish:

  “Remember Lauren Jennifer McCluskey, remember how she lived, remember how she died. And through your actions honor her memory.” (Kendall Rae, 92:30)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:06 | Introduction and Lauren’s early years | | 10:31 | College life, meeting Melvin Rowland, early relationship | | 16:41 | Discovery of Melvin’s true identity and criminal past | | 20:35 | First police contacts—red flags ignored | | 31:12 | Harassment, extortion, and escalating threats | | 40:01 | Campus police neglect and devastating missed opportunities | | 53:57 | Lauren’s last words, abduction heard by her parents | | 54:34 | Family’s calls to campus and city police, immediate aftermath | | 65:31 | Institutional reviews, campus and parole failures exposed | | 80:01 | The Lauren McCluskey Foundation, Lauren’s Promise, campus safety work | | 88:42 | Ongoing challenges and personal/family calls to action | | 92:30 | Father’s closing statement, episode sign-off |

Conclusion

Kendall Rae masterfully guides listeners through Lauren McCluskey’s story, balancing respectful remembrance with righteous condemnation of institutional failures. The episode is a call to action—for individuals, academics, and institutions—to listen to, believe, and protect those at risk, and to hold negligent authorities accountable.

For more on the Lauren McCluskey Foundation and resources for campus safety reform, visit links provided in the show notes. This episode stands as both a memorial and a rallying cry for justice and reform.