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A Texas couple's search for justice in teen daughter's suspicious death

January 19, 2024 / 02:33

This episode of 48 Hours investigates the mysterious death of 19-year-old college student Kaylee Mandadi in October 2017. Key topics include her boyfriend Mark Howton's arrest for murder, the family's independent investigation, and the legal battles surrounding the case.

Kaylee was brought to a Texas hospital bruised and not breathing, where she was later declared brain dead. Her boyfriend, Mark Howton, claimed they had consumed ecstasy and that she stopped breathing after rough sex in the car. The medical examiner ruled her death as a result of blunt force trauma.

In 2019, Howton faced trial, where prosecutors argued he was responsible for Kaylee's injuries, while his defense suggested alternative explanations. The trial ended in a mistrial.

Kaylee's parents took matters into their own hands, conducting their own investigation into Howton's car. They believed they found evidence that could change the narrative, commissioning a video to illustrate their theory about the fatal injury.

The episode features interviews with Kaylee's mother, Allison Steel, and stepfather, Lawrence Baand, as they recount the emotional toll of their daughter's death and their quest for justice.

TLDR

48 Hours investigates Kaylee Mandadi's death, her boyfriend's murder charge, and her family's independent investigation into the case.

Episode

2:33

00:00:00

let's begin this hour with a new 48 Hours investigation looking into the mysterious death of a 19-year-old

00:00:05

college student in October 2017 kayy mandad was bought to a Texas hospital bruised and not breathing she later died

00:00:12

her boyfriend Mark Howton was arrested and charged with her murder he insisted he did not do it after a Mist trial

00:00:19

mad's mother and stepfather launched their own investigation looking into howerton's car for answers Peter Van an

00:00:25

spoke with them for this week's 48 Hours take a look Taylor Clement will never forget her last moments with her best

00:00:32

friend Kaylee mandadi at a hospital in Kyle Texas it just felt absurd the amount of life support that she was on

00:00:43

kayle's mother Allison steel and stepfather Lawrence baand had arrived to a horrifying scene Kaylee just 19 years

00:00:52

old was declared brain dead was very emotional of course we didn't want to let her go but

00:01:01

this is what had to be kayle's sometime boyfriend Mark Howton brought her to the

00:01:07

hospital he told police officers they'd consumed ecstasy and after rough sex in the car she stopped breathing she was

00:01:16

nearly naked and bruised these photos show her condition about 18 hours after her arrival all right Mark Howton

00:01:27

expressed concern why isn't she responding a medical examiner ruled that Kaylee died of blunt force trauma to the face

00:01:37

and head Mark Howton was charged with murder all right jury 2019 prosecutors argue that Howton beat

00:01:47

Kaylee but his lawyers said her bruising was caused by resuscitation efforts at the hospital and possibly a fall ladies

00:01:56

and gentlemen Jordan I'm declaring a mistrial a mistrial a second trial was set for

00:02:03

2023 kayle's parents went on a mission you became investigators we did yes they tracked down howerton's car and bought

00:02:12

it what did you figure out so we determined that kayle's head likely struck that locking knob resulting in

00:02:20

fatal injury they commissioned a video using actors to show their Theory could this convince a second jury that Mark

00:02:29

Howard killed Kaye

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

85
Most heartbreaking
80
Most emotional
75
Most shocking
70
Most dramatic

Episode Highlights

Mysterious Death Investigation
A 19-year-old college student, Kaylee Mandadi, dies under suspicious circumstances, leading to a murder charge against her boyfriend.
“Kaylee just 19 years old was declared brain dead.”
@ 00m 48s
January 19, 2024
Parents Take Action
Kaylee's parents launch their own investigation after a mistrial, determined to find the truth.
“We tracked down Howerton's car and bought it.”
@ 02m 09s
January 19, 2024

Episode Quotes

It just felt absurd the amount of life support that she was on.
A Texas couple's search for justice in teen daughter's suspicious death
This is what had to be.
A Texas couple's search for justice in teen daughter's suspicious death
We became investigators.
A Texas couple's search for justice in teen daughter's suspicious death

Key Moments

Murder Charge00:12
Heartbreaking Decision00:58
Parents Investigate02:09

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown