
ABC's 20/20 Investigates the Murder of Lauren McCluskey
How institutional failures enabled a predator to stalk and kill a University of Utah student-athlete
Quick Facts
On Friday, March 31, 2023, ABC's 20/20 aired a two-hour investigation titled "Running Out of Time," examining the circumstances surrounding the 2018 murder of Lauren McCluskey, a University of Utah student-athlete and track and field competitor. Anchored by David Muir with reporting from ESPN journalists T.J. Quinn and Nicole Noren, the episode delves into how a young woman's life was cut short by a predator—and how the systems meant to protect her failed repeatedly.
Lauren McCluskey was killed by Melvin Rowland, a 37-year-old registered sex offender who had served 14 years in prison before his release. Rowland had met McCluskey at a bar in Salt Lake City and entered into a relationship with her under false pretenses, misrepresenting his real name, age, and criminal history.
The deception unraveled roughly six weeks into their relationship when McCluskey discovered the truth about who Rowland actually was. What followed was a nightmare of stalking, harassment, and extortion. McCluskey reached out multiple times to campus police and local law enforcement, desperately seeking protection. Yet despite these pleas for help, the institutions tasked with her safety failed to intervene effectively.
Rowland eventually kidnapped McCluskey en route from her class and murdered her—a tragedy that might have been prevented had police and university officials responded appropriately to her warnings.
The 20/20 investigation brought together key figures in the case to examine what went wrong. The McCluskey family—parents Jill and Matt—provided testimony about their daughter's final months and their struggle for accountability. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes commented on the systemic failures, while Miguel Deras, a former campus police officer, and Paul Amann, the former Assistant Attorney General who prosecuted Rowland, offered insights into how the case unfolded and was ultimately resolved.


