When millionaire businesswoman and mother Andreen McDonald, 29, vanished from her San Antonio, Texas, home in the winter of 2019, hundreds of people came out to search for her.
"48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates what happened that night in "Andreen McDonald: A Millionaire Vanishes," airing Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
For months, hundreds searched all over for Andreen McDonald to no avail. Until one day in July 2019 — 133 days after her disappearance — when Andreen's remains were found in a field just six miles away from her home.
Andre McDonald was arrested for his wife's murder and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He remained silent, never revealing what happened the night his wife died.
On January 30, 2023, during his murder trial, Andre McDonald revealed new details about the events leading up to his wife's death almost four years ago. According to Andre McDonald, the evening of February 28, 2019, started with an argument and ended tragically. He claimed that while they were at a tax preparer's office, he discovered documents showing that his wife, Andreen, had started a new company without his knowledge. This revelation made him feel betrayed and robbed.
Andre McDonald testified that a heated argument ensued between him and Andreen. He then recounted the story he had previously told investigators, stating that he left their home to cool off at a gas station. However, when he returned, his wife was waiting for him and the argument continued. Andre McDonald mentioned that he suggested the possibility of divorce and splitting their business in half, which angered Andreen.
According to Andre McDonald, the argument turned physical, with Andreen attacking him. His testimony may be disturbing to some.
These new revelations shed light on the circumstances surrounding Andreen McDonald's death and provide insight into the tumultuous relationship between Andre and Andreen. The trial continues as more evidence is presented.
"She's, like, throwing, like, some punches. So, I'm trying to, like, duck down and, like, keep my head, my face from, you know, getting hit with the blows. … I remember, like, grabbing her, like, tripping her. … And then she, like, falls and that's when I kicked her, like, twice. … The second kick, I think I heard, like, some type of wheezing, you know, coming out of her. And then also, like, in the background, I could hear, like, some footsteps."
The footsteps were of their young daughter, Alayna. Andre McDonald testified that he left his wife – hurt, but alive – on the floor while he put Alayna back to bed. He says that when he returned 30 minutes later, Andreen was dead.
Towards the end of his testimony, Andre McDonald told his defense attorney that he had acted in self-defense. The defense showed videos of Andreen powerlifting weights and playfully carrying her husband on her back. According to Andre McDonald, his wife could lift 300 pounds — almost twice his weight.
"When she attacked you, were you in fear?" asked Andre McDonald's defense attorney.
"Yes, I was in fear of, you know, being harmed during that whole situation," Andre McDonald testified.
But what would the jury believe?
To see more of the case, watch "Andreen McDonald: A Millionaire Vanishes," an all- new "48 Hours" airing Saturday, Dec. 9 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
