McCluskey, a senior from Pullman, Washington, was found dead in a parked car in a lot outside of a campus residence hall. According to the University of Utah, campus police were notified of a possible abduction around 8:20 PM last evening, and when they arrived on the scene they found McCluskey unresponsive.
The suspect, 37-year-old Melvin Rowland, died early Tuesday morning as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police.
According to University of Utah police lieutenant Brian Wahlin, who spoke with Fox 13 in Salt Lake City early Tuesday, McCluskey had had a previous relationship with Rowland.
In a statement released following their daughter's death, the McCluskey family said that their daughter and Rowland had previously dated for a month, and that Rowland had lied to McCluskey about his age, name, and criminal history as a registered sex offender.
The statement also said that McCluskey ended the relationship on October 9 when she learned of the man's history.
University president Ruth V. Watkins announced that classes had been canceled on Tuesday. A campus vigil has been scheduled for 5 PM on Wednesday.
McCluskey was a jumper and pentathlete on the Utah women's track team. She was majoring in communications.