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SALT LAKE CITY — Police have suspended their investigation into a brazen rape reported on the University of Utah campus a few weeks ago because of a lack of evidence in the case, the school told its students Tuesday.

University of Utah police reported on Oct. 31 that a woman informed police she had been forced into the back seat of her car at gunpoint and raped in the north Merrill Engineering Building parking lot, near 1735 S. Campus Drive.

The woman told investigators the rape occurred shortly after noon and that the attacker was wearing all black and a Grim Reaper-style mask. The parking lot, which has a capacity for hundreds of vehicles, was nearly full at the time, according to police.

U. President David Pershing said in an email to students Tuesday that police are suspending the investigation because it turned up no new leads.

Over the past five weeks, our detective unit has spent hundreds of hours working on the report. … At this time our department is not able to determine that an incident consistent with the report given occurred at the Merrill Engineering Building parking lot that day. –President David Pershing, University of Utah

"I appreciate the thorough and sensitive investigation of this report by our (police) officers," Pershing wrote. "It is frustrating for them, and for all of us, when a report such as this does not result in a clear resolution."

According to Pershing's email, University of Utah Police Chief Dale Brophy said the owners of hundreds of vehicles parked nearby were interviewed without investigators turning up any new information.

“When investigating sexual assaults, we start by believing the victim, complete a thorough investigation, and follow the evidence," Brophy is quoted as saying in a summary of the case sent to Pershing. "Over the past five weeks, our detective unit has spent hundreds of hours working on the report. … At this time our department is not able to determine that an incident consistent with the report given occurred at the Merrill Engineering Building parking lot that day."

Brophy added that police have reviewed surveillance images from multiple cameras nearby, with no success. Per Pershing's email, the chief made clear it isn't his intention to discredit the woman who reported the incident.

A crime scene vehicle moves through the parking lot of the Merrill Engineering Building on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

"We are not calling into question that this person may have experienced something terrible at some point in her life, but we are not able to find evidence that a crime occurred at the place, date and time reported," Brophy wrote.

Brophy indicated the case would be re-examined in the event of new information or evidence.

The university made positive changes on campus because of the troubling details reported to police, Pershing said.

"I do believe this case has strengthened our resolve to spur positive change. … Cameras have been installed at the Merrill Engineering Building parking lot. … We are replacing all broken lights and adding new ones in dark areas," he wrote. "We continue to look for ways to improve safety on our campus and welcome suggestions from all members of the university community."

Anyone who believes they may have information related to this case can call U. police at 801-585-COPS.

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