Police reveal extortion plot tied to Utah college student's death

SALT LAKE CITY -- (KSTU) -- University of Utah Police Chief Dale Brophy revealed new information Thursday about the death of 21-year-old student-athlete Lauren McCluskey, including details of a sexual extortion/blackmail plot against her.

According to Chief Brophy, McCluskey reported that someone had threatened to post compromising photos of her and Rowland online unless she met a monetary demand. McCluskey told police she transferred $1,000 to an account in hopes of keeping the photos private and protecting her reputation.

McCluskey was found shot to death Monday night in the back of a car parked near her dormitory. Police identified 37-year-old Melvin Shawn Rowland as the man responsible for killing McCluskey. Rowland died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as police pursued him into a church in downtown Salt Lake City early Tuesday morning.

The University of Utah released a timeline of events -- KSTU