SALT LAKE CITY — While the multi-million dollar settlement with the University of Utah will help the family move forward with Lauren McCluskey’s legacy, Thursday marks a difficult day as the two year anniversary of the student athlete’s murder on campus.
Lauren’s mother Jill tells FOX13 it was critical for the university to admit the death was preventable in the settlement.
“Every day we wake up without her. She was my life. She was so important to me,” said Jill.
After negotiations went well into the night, Jill said the lawsuit settlement finally ends 24 months of tension with the “U”
“The settlement is good because we can stop fighting the university and work on building our foundation,” said Jill.
The settlement not only addresses how Lauren died but also honors what she loved. Jill praises the university for pledging to build an indoor track and field facility bearing Lauren’s name.
“The track athletes don’t have an indoor facility and they would commute to the Olympic Oval that is a 45 minute, depending on traffic, drive,“ Jill said.
Megan Grimmett made that commute during the three years she ran track with Lauren.
“She was really fun loving and such a positive presence on the team,” said Grimmett.
While no amount of money can compensate for Lauren’s death, Jill said all of the settlement proceeds will go the Lauren McCluskey Foundation’s efforts and initiatives.
