Schanda Handley was taken at gunpoint from her home by her estranged husband. This was part of a plot orchestrated by officials said to be handpicked by her husband.

In records obtained by the court, two men hired by Lawrence Michael Handley attempted to hide from authorities after their Baton Rouge-area accomplice committed a crime. However, they died near New Orleans trying to avoid capture.

Schanda Handley’s first television interview is part of a true crime docuseries aired Saturday. Called 48 Hours, the program features her story.

David Begnaud, a Lafayette native and lead national correspondent for CBS News, interviewed Michael Handley’s attorney Kevin Stockstill, her divorce lawyer Handley and two prosecutors about the case. Additionally, Begnaud interviewed the deputy who rescued Handley and her defense attorney about the case.

Even for people who believe they know a lot about the case, living in Lafayette, Begnaud stated that they would still discover new information. He explained that all participants in the story unraveled the onion, which is a colloquialism for layers of information. The phrase also refers to the fact that this story doesn’t occur in Acadiana, Begnaud’s home region.

David Begnaud, a Lafayette resident and “48 Hours” contributor, tells the story of being kidnapped for CBS News’ lead national correspondent. Schanda Handley’s story aired as part of an episode of “48 Hours” on October 22 2022.

Lafayette millionaire Handley secures his release from prison after pleading guilty to abducting his estranged wife.

Their marriage had nine years of duration before their relationship began to deteriorate.
Begnaud said Handley came to the area very quickly. He started a successful business and was a millionaire by the age of 30.

Schanda Handley frequently talked about Michael to Begnaud, stating that she was interested in him. However, she became interested in David after the train derailed.

In 2012, Michael Handley can be seen in his Lafayette office wearing a shirt and tie.
Begnaud was disappointed and surprised when Schanda Handley told him she had a hard time convincing authorities that she was a victim when she reported abuse.

Two marriage ceremonies took place in 2006 before two restraining orders were filed against each other in 2017.

Shanda Handley’s kidnapping began at a Mississippi campsite deal.
Michael Handley hired two people to kidnap his estranged wife from her rural Mississippi home on August 6, 2017.

Court records state that 14-year-old Schanda Handley and a friend were held hostage by two men who posed as deliverymen. They broke into her Lafayette home, pushed past the fake deliverymen and held Handley captive. Afterwards, the two men placed a bag over Schanda’s head and forced her into the back of a van.