In 2018, University of Utah track and field athlete Lauren McCluskey repeatedly sought help as her ex-boyfriend stalked and extorted her, but the people and the institutions responsible for listening to her and protecting her failed at every turn.
LISTEN is an investigative documentary from ESPN exploring Lauren’s life, murder, and her parents’ quest for answers. Journalists examine the steps that could have prevented her death by using hours of material never seen or heard by the public - including surveillance video, 911 calls and police interview and dispatch recordings. Viewers get an intimate look into the last weeks of Lauren’s life as she pleaded for and sought help over and over. Viewers also learn what has transpired with her case since her death at age 21 on Oct. 22, 2018.
Allegations of police misconduct roiled the state and led to legislative change. The McCluskey family settled a lawsuit for $13.5 million, but revelations of individual and institutional failure continued.
Award-winning ESPN journalists T.J. Quinn and Nicole Noren, who reported the story for four years, give a window into their investigation and ongoing battles to obtain records from the University of Utah. The 90-minute documentary features numerous interviewees who had never spoken publicly about the case, including Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, former campus police officer Miguel Deras and parole agent Megan Thomson.
An investigative journalist, director and producer, Nicole Noren produced more than 50 investigative reports and short documentaries for ESPN and recently left to make her own projects. A recipient of six Emmys, two Edward R. Murrow Awards and a Peabody, Noren has reported extensively on gender-based violence, education, health and social issues. A first generation college graduate, Noren specializes in character-driven investigative projects, and has spent her career amplifying underrepresented voices and producing high impact accountability journalism that has effected change and raised awareness on crucial topics.
Noren's film "Betsy & Irv" won the 2023 Sports Emmy in Long Feature, and her 2023 feature-length investigative documentary "LISTEN" has been viewed by over six million people on YouTube. The film recently received recognition in three national journalism competitions:
“LISTEN is a shining example of how investigative journalism can hold police systems accountable without exploiting victims of violence.” - IRE Award Judge, April 2024
“Gripping, tragic and enraging. Masterful work that reveals the sheer amount of missteps and failures by multiple authorities and institutions and the push to cover it up." - EWA Judge, May 2024
ESPN+, ESPN on Hulu, Disney+, YouTube
National Awards for Education Reporting
Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) Awards
Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) Awards
