In October 2018, Lauren McCluskey was tragically killed in the parking lot of the University of Utah while she was on a phone call with her mother, Jill McCluskey. During the call, Jill, along with Lauren’s father, Matthew McCluskey, overheard their daughter protesting before the line went silent. In the aftermath, her parents openly discussed the lack of proactive measures taken by authorities, especially given Melvin’s status as a registered sex offender. The case later gained national attention and was featured on ABC’s ’20/20: Running Out of Time,’ where the events and failures surrounding it were explored in detail.
Lauren McCluskey’s Family Were Aware of the Turmoil She Was Facing in October 2022
Matthew and Jill McCluskey welcomed their daughter, Lauren, in 1997 while based in the 20362 area. A year later, in 1998, both joined Washington State University as professors and relocated their family to Pullman, Washington. It was there that their son, Ryan McCluskey, was born. Jill and Matt were supportive and devoted parents, always celebrating Lauren’s achievements as an athlete and encouraging her ambitions. In 2012, when Lauren enrolled at the University of Utah, they were proud to watch her thrive. Ryan remembered his older sister as an inspiring yet cheerful presence who was always there when he needed her.
In September 2018, when Lauren McCluskey began dating Melvin Rowland, her parents, Matthew and Jill, grew slightly concerned after hearing from her friends that he might not be the right person for her. Their concerns deepened when Lauren started receiving troubling messages, and they encouraged her to reach out to the police. The McCluskeys remained aware of the situation, and on October 10, Jill even contacted campus police to request that her daughter be escorted while retrieving her car from Rowland. On October 22, 2018, around 8:20 p.m., Lauren was on the phone with her mother while walking back to her residence. Jill suddenly heard her daughter cry out, “No! No! No!” before the line went silent. Alarmed, Matthew immediately called the police to report his concern. Shortly afterward, Lauren’s remains were discovered on campus, marking a tragic end to a promising young life.
For Jill and Matthew, it was their worst fears that became a reality. They later spoke to the media about what they felt was a grave injustice and negligence, saying their daughter’s repeated pleas for help had gone unheard. They wanted to hold both the university and the campus police accountable, and their persistence brought to light new details about how the situation was handled. An internal investigation was launched, during which two officers were suspended. Jill and Matthew stated that the officers had been unprofessional and alleged that the University of Utah had failed to respond properly to their daughter’s calls for help. In 2019, they filed a $56 million lawsuit. A year later, in October 2020, the university announced a $10.5 million settlement. Additionally, the school agreed to donate $3 million to the Lauren McCluskey Foundation.
Jill McCluskey is a Widely Celebrated Economist and Academician
In the aftermath of Lauren’s death, Jill and Matthew McCluskey dedicated themselves to honoring their daughter’s memory in a way that could make campuses safer for others. In 2019, they launched the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, an organization focused on improving campus safety, promoting healthy relationships, and supporting student athletes. Through the foundation, Jill has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the dangers students may face, while also advocating for stronger institutional accountability. The foundation funds scholarships, educational programs, and safety initiatives, ensuring that Lauren’s story leads to real change and provides resources for young people navigating college life.
Alongside her work with the foundation, Jill has continued to build a remarkable career in academia. She is a leading economist who has spent decades researching topics such as food systems, consumer behavior, and agricultural policy. She finished her bachelor’s in Business Economics and Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1989. She then joined Georgetown University for her Master’s. In 1994, she started her Ph.D. in agriculture and resource economics at the University of California, Berkeley. At Washington State University, she has not only taught and mentored students but also taken on key leadership positions. She was even a visiting professor at Cornell University in 2011.
Jill is now a Regents Professor and the Distinguished Professor of Sustainability at Washington State University. These roles highlight both her scholarly contributions and her ability to guide the next generation of economists. Her influence extends far beyond WSU. She has been entrusted with leadership positions in national and international organizations. In 2021, she was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Three years later, she was chosen as the President-Elect of the International Association of Agricultural Economists. Over the years, Jill has been honored with fellowships in multiple professional associations and has taken on editorial responsibilities in top academic journals. In 2023, she became the first woman and first economist to chair the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources and has earned several laurels.
Matthew McCluskey is a Professor at Washington State University Today
Matthew McCluskey continues to work closely with the Lauren McCluskey Foundation, honoring his daughter’s memory through advocacy and awareness. Professionally, he serves as a Westinghouse Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Washington State University. Matthew completed his undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley, earned his Master’s at MIT, and later received his Ph.D. in physics from UC Berkeley between 1991 and 1997. Beyond academia, he is also the Chief Technology Officer at Klar Scientific. His work extends to numerous scientific publications, reflecting his expertise and passion for research. In 2013, he published The Last Weapon, a high-tech thriller about a physics professor caught in peril after a lab accident, blending his scientific background with storytelling.
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Ryan McCluskey is Working For the US Army Corps
Ryan McCluskey has chosen to lead a relatively private life while carrying forward his sister Lauren’s legacy. In 2019, he made a meaningful return home from college to participate in the inaugural Lauren McCluskey 5k Race for Campus Safety, an event dedicated to raising awareness and creating safer environments for students. Ryan pursued his academic path at the University of Washington, where he earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2021. His career began with internships at Washington State University in 2018 and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in 2020, experiences that gave him a strong foundation in applied engineering. Following graduation, he accepted a position as a Mechanical Engineer with Mechanical Technology Inc. in Billings, Montana, working there from late 2021 until mid-2022. In November 2022, Ryan joined the US Army Corps of Engineers in Seattle, Washington, where he continues to serve in the Cost Engineering Division, applying his technical expertise to meaningful projects.