Carmen Van Huss
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MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Steven Altman & Mary Ann Hayes

In 1984, when Robin Altman was just 22 years old, her brother Steven was found hanging by his neck in an apparent suicide. 12 years later, tragedy struck this family again when Robin’s mother Mary Ann took her own life by self-strangulation. But Robin had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t right. There was one question she could not get out of her head: what if these deaths weren’t suicides at all? What if her brother Steven and her mother Mary Ann were murdered? Robin embarks on a journey to find the truth.

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Timeline

May 11, 1984
May 11, 1984
Around 7:15am

Steven Altman is found dead at his stepfather’s business in Chicago and his death is ruled a suicide.

September 25, 1996
September 25, 1996

Mary Ann Hayes is found dead in her home and her death is ruled suicide by self-strangulation.

2013
2013

Robin Altman files FOIA requests with Chicago Police Department and Northfield Police Department.

2018
2018

Northfield police reopen Mary Ann Hayes’ case and resubmit evidence to the crime lab.

The crime lab identifies an unknown male DNA profile. The case is closed again after a person of interest refuses to provide DNA.

2021
2021

Alliance for Hope International submits a 26-page report to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Cold Case Unit asserting Mary Ann’s death was a homicide.

2023
2023

The Cook County State’s Attorney Cold Case Unit declines to change the manner of death.

February 17, 2025
February 17, 2025

“Mary Ann’s Law” is proposed in Illinois legislature.

Chicago, Illinois

The city where Steven Altman is found dead at his stepfather’s workshop.

Northfield, Illinois

The village where Mary Ann Hayes is found dead in her home.

Please contact the authorities if you have any information:

Information about the Death of Mary Ann Hayes

If you have any information about the death of Mary Ann Hayes, please contact Northfield PD at 847-446-2131

Information about the Death of Steven Altman

If you have any information about the death of Steven Altman, please contact Chicago Police at 312-744-2422. You can also contact us at [email protected].

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

If you or someone you know is in crisis or feeling suicidal, please reach out for help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK , where trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide support.

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