In the 48 Hours episode “The Fitbit Alibi,” CBS News correspondent Peter Van Sant investigates the death of Rhonda Casto. On March 16, 2009, the 23-year-old aspiring model left her 9-month-old daughter Ava* with her mother so that she could go on a hike with her fiancé Steven Nichols. They walked the popular Eagle Creek Trail along Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. On a narrow part of the trail, Casto either slipped off a mountain cliff, jumped of her own accord, or was pushed to her death. Nichols says he watched her fall and tried to rescue her, which required him to slide down a ravine and swim across a freezing creek. According to Nichols, when he reached her he collapsed on top of her from hypothermia. When he came to, he walked back to his car to call 911. Nichols was accused of murdering Casto. Months prior to Casto’s death, Nichols increased her life insurance policy to $1 million. (Nichols said it was Casto’s idea.)
CBS News says Van Sant will press Nichols about the details of that day, his relationship with Rhonda’s younger sister Melanie, and other charges that have been brought against him. In May 2017, eight years after Casto’s death, Nichols made a plea deal, and the murder charge was dropped. On 48 Hours, Van Sant talks to Casto’s family and Nichols who swears he is innocent and claims his Fitbit can prove his innocence. 48 Hours airs Saturdays at 10pm on CBS.
[NOTE about streaming: Cable cutters can watch a live stream of any CBS show through Amazon Prime or CBS ALL-ACCESS. Both options offer free trials.]
