What Happened to Cayley Mandadi? Background & Details

Early Life and Educational Aspirations

Cayley Mandadi grew up in League City, Texas, where her early life was filled with the warmth of a loving family. Her formative years were characterized by academic dedication and active participation in community and school events.

Cayley’s pursuit of higher education led her to Trinity University in San Antonio. Majoring in communications, she quickly became an integral part of the university’s social fabric. Her involvement in the Chi Beta Epsilon sorority and the cheer team reflected her outgoing and vibrant personality.

The Tumultuous Relationship with Mark Howerton

Cayley’s relationship with Mark Howerton, who was not a Trinity University student, began in the fall of 2017. This relationship quickly spiraled into a pattern of possessiveness and control. Cayley’s friends observed Howerton’s unusual behavior and expressed concerns about his influence on her.

Cayley’s interactions with Howerton were marred by incidents of violence and intimidation. Howerton’s aggressive behavior included trashing Cayley’s dorm room and destroying her personal belongings in a fit of rage. Cayley’s attempts to distance herself were met with hundreds of threatening calls and messages from Howerton, creating an atmosphere of fear and control.

The Final Days

The relationship reached a fatal climax on October 29, 2017, during the Mala Luna Music Festival. After leaving the festival early, Cayley was not seen again until Howerton brought her, in an unresponsive state, to a hospital in Luling. She was declared brain dead and later passed away on October 31, 2017.

Mark Howerton was found guilty of aggravated assault causing bodily injury and sentenced to 20 years in prison. This verdict came after two trials, the first ending in a hung jury and the second reaching a conviction on the lesser charge.

Cayley’s Legacy and Impact

In the wake of Cayley’s death, her mother, Allison Steele, founded Cayley’s Calling, an organization aimed at advocating for victims of violence. The organization was instrumental in passing the CLEAR Alert, a legislative response designed to enable rapid law enforcement action in situations similar to Cayley’s.