48 Hours “For the Love of Cayley Mandadi” January 20 2024 Recap & Preview

In a new episode of 48 Hours, correspondent Peter Van Sant delves into a heart-wrenching case that unfolds like a suspenseful thriller. Tune in to “For the Love of Cayley Mandadi” on Saturday, January 20, from 10:00 to 11:00 PM, ET/PT, as it airs on the CBS Television Network.

The story centers on Cayley Mandadi, a beloved 19-year-old college sophomore at Trinity University. Her life took a tragic turn on October 29, 2017, when she arrived at a Texas hospital in a harrowing condition—bruised, barely clothed, and unresponsive. Her then-boyfriend, Mark Howerton, recounted to doctors that they had consumed ecstasy at a music festival, and after consensual sex in his car, she had lost consciousness. Despite medical efforts, Cayley did not survive. What initially seemed like a heartbreaking accident took a sinister turn when her mother and stepfather began to suspect something much darker.

The medical examiner’s verdict sent shockwaves—the cause of Cayley’s death was blunt force trauma to the head and face, classified as a homicide. Subsequently, Howerton was arrested and faced murder charges. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Howerton had brutally assaulted Cayley. His defense attorney, however, maintained that her injuries occurred either during resuscitation attempts at the hospital or as a result of a possible fall. When the jury reached an impasse, a mistrial was declared, setting the stage for a new trial scheduled for 2023.

Alison Steele and Lawrence Baitland, Cayley’s mother and stepfather, firmly believed that, for the second trial, jurors needed a comprehensive understanding of what had transpired inside Howerton’s car. “I needed to be able to show the jury what happened to Cayley,” Baitland emphasized.

In an astonishing turn of events, Steele, a scientist, and Baitland, a NASA engineer, embarked on their own investigation. They meticulously examined autopsy photos and sought counsel from experts, resulting in a groundbreaking theory. “We believe that… he reached from his driver’s seat, hit her in the left ear and drove her head into the window and onto the lock button of the car,” Steele explained.

Their investigation took a dramatic twist when they located and purchased Howerton’s car—an agonizing but crucial step in their pursuit of the truth. Baitland described the experience as “torturous” yet underscored, “She was showing us what happened, you know. She was guiding us to this car.”

To further illustrate their theory, Cayley’s parents commissioned a straightforward video featuring actors.

The question looms: will this relentless investigation alter the course of the impending second trial? Join 48 HOURS as it unravels this harrowing mystery that tests the boundaries of a parent’s love and determination to uncover the truth.

What Happened to Cayley Mandadi & Mark Howerton?

Mark Howerton, who was accused of the death of Trinity University cheerleader Cayley Mandadi in 2017, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, a lesser charge, by a Bexar County jury. This marks the second trial for Howerton, as the first trial in 2019 ended in a mistrial when the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict.

The case revolved around the events of October 29, 2017, when Cayley Mandadi arrived at a hospital in Texas in a severely injured state, nearly naked, bruised, and unresponsive. Her then-boyfriend, Mark Howerton, claimed they had taken ecstasy at a music festival and engaged in consensual sex in his car, after which she passed out. Despite medical efforts, Cayley did not survive. However, her mother and stepfather believed there was a more sinister explanation.

The medical examiner concluded that Cayley died from blunt force trauma to the head and face, classifying it as a homicide. Howerton was arrested and charged with murder. At the trial, prosecutors argued that Howerton had brutally assaulted Cayley. His defense attorney contended that her injuries might have occurred during resuscitation attempts at the hospital or due to a possible fall. When the jury could not reach a verdict, a mistrial was declared, leading to a new trial scheduled for 2023.

In the second trial, Cayley’s parents, Alison Steele and Lawrence Baitland, believed that jurors needed a better understanding of what happened inside Howerton’s car. They launched their investigation, developed a theory, and even obtained Howerton’s car to provide more insight into their theory.

Howerton has been found guilty of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. He faces between 2 to 20 years in prison.