A Trinity University cheerleader’s death has now resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit.
KSAT reported on the lawsuit, which was filed on Monday, June 28, 2021. Alison Steele filed the suit on behalf of her daughter, Cayley Mandadi.
Mandadi was killed in 2017 during a visit to Houston, Texas with her boyfriend Mark Howerton. After Mandadi’s death, “Howerton was charged with murder, sexual assault and kidnapping but a judge declared a mistrial in 2019 when a jury failed to reach a verdict.”
Steele is sueing both Howerton and Trinity University. The lawsuit claims that Howerton repeatedly assaulted Mandadi sexually and physically, ultimately killing her by “drugging and assaulting her.” The lawsuit also claims that Trinity University failed to “respond to multiple reports of stalking, abuse, intimidation and domestic violence.”
Steele is seeking at least $1 million in damages with the suit. The lawsuit also asks for a jury trial. Howerton’s case is already scheduled for a retrial in August 2021.