By Associated Press - Monday, December 24, 2018

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Dispatch recordings show a University of Utah student grew increasingly concerned about the handling of her harassment complaint before her ex-boyfriend killed her on campus.

The 911-call audio shows 21-year-old Lauren McCluskey telling Salt Lake City dispatchers she’s worried about how long it was taking campus police to investigate 37-year-old Melvin Rowland, a sex offender who had lied about his identity.

McCluskey’s first call came a day after she initially reported Rowland was extorting her over compromising photos. The second was six days later, the same day campus police opened an investigation.

Both times, dispatchers directed her back to university police under protocol. She died three days after the second call.

University officials say the department is understaffed, but her death could not have been prevented. McCluskey’s parents say the university failed to protect her.

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