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.
Listened to this episode? Let us know what you think here.
Mary Ann Hayes and Steven Altman
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Mary Ann Hayes and Steven Altman
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Mary Ann Hayes
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Mary Ann Hayes
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Steven Altman
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Steven Altman
Courtesy: Robin Altman
A childhood photo of Robin and her brother, Steven.
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Mary Ann with her daughter, Robin
Courtesy: Robin Altman
The car that Steven crashed as a teenager
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Robin and her brother, Steven
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Mary Ann Hayes and Steven Altman
Courtesy: Robin Altman
Timeline
Around 7:15am
Steven Altman is found dead at his stepfather’s business in Chicago and his death is ruled a suicide.
Mary Ann Hayes is found dead in her home and her death is ruled suicide by self-strangulation.
Robin Altman files FOIA requests with Chicago Police Department and Northfield Police Department.
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.
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.
The Cook County State’s Attorney Cold Case Unit declines to change the manner of death.
“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.
Suggested Episodes
MURDERED: Jerry Greer
In 2009, 71-year-old Jerry Greer was found murdered in his home in Templeton, California. For more than 17 years, the case has gone unsolved. Two men have searched for answers: former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Detective Clint Cole and Jerry’s son, Brian. Each has a theory, and they point in two different directions. Which one is right? And if they’re both wrong, who murdered Jerry Greer?
MURDERED: Nori Amaya
On Halloween night in 2009, 38-year-old D.C. restaurateur and salsa queen Nori Amaya went out dancing, came home alone, and was found strangled in her bed two days later. Police have DNA and hours of surveillance footage, but in a building full of people in Halloween masks, they’ve never been able to identify her killer. Sixteen years later, the key to solving this case could be a secret someone in Nori’s world is still keeping, or something that went missing from her apartment the night she died.
MURDERED: Cheryl Harris
In many cases we cover, the victim never saw it coming. In this case, 31-year-old Cheryl Harris seemed to know something bad was going to happen before her death in March 1985.
Join our Fan Club to listen to this episode and more!
Unlock all of the exclusive benefits and dynamic listening experience as a Crime Junkie Fan Club member.
Join the Fan Club now to reap the rewards!
