This Feels Criminal: A True Crime Podcast (Formerly Killer Queens)
Lauren McCluskey: Can We Tell Which Relationships Will Turn Deadly? (Part 1)
When 21-year-old University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey ended a brief relationship, she had good reason to believe she'd caught the warning signs early. The man she'd been dating had lied about his name, his age, and his criminal history. Lauren ended the relationship immediately. But he didn't leave her alone. What followed was a terrifying escalation of stalking, harassment, extortion, and repeated attempts to get help — ending less than three weeks later with Lauren's murder on the campus where she lived and went to school. Lauren's case leaves behind an agonizing question: when we look back after someone has been killed, the warning signs can seem painfully obvious. But are they actually obvious before the violence happens? In Part 1, we begin Lauren's story and ask a much bigger question: Can we tell which abusive relationships are most likely to turn deadly? Because if we can identify danger before someone is killed, that changes the question of what we should be doing about it. New to This Feels Criminal? Start with The TFC Essentials —our curated collection of the episodes that best capture what this show is all about. Join our email community and get instant access : https://thisfeelscriminal.link/essentials Hang with us: Follow Us on Instagram Like Us on Facebook Join our Case Discussion Group on Facebook Get Killer Queens Merch Bonus Episodes Support Our AMAZING Sponsors: Smalls: Head to Smalls.com/QUEENS for 60% off your first order plus free shipping and free treats for life. Rula: Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/queens #rulapod © 2026 Killer Queens Podcast . All Rights Reserved Audio Production by Wayfare Recording Music provided by Steven Tobi Logo designed by Ingrid at Penguin Designing
