MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: The Day-Stewart Family

Summary of MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: The Day-Stewart Family

by Audiochuck

1h 6m•February 9, 2026
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Overview of MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: The Day–Stewart Family (Crime Junkie / Audiochuck)

This episode examines the March 7, 2023 house fire that killed Summer Day (36) and her three children—Autumn (9), Ezra (7, nonverbal autism), and Emery (2)—in Chicago. Their husband/father, Chicago firefighter Walter “Sean” Stewart, was on duty that night and rushed to the scene. Official investigators concluded the fire’s origin was in the kitchen but ultimately listed the cause as “undetermined” (possible electrical malfunction or human action) and CPD classified the deaths as non‑criminal. The podcast details scene evidence, family history (including documented abuse and a protective order), investigative gaps, three main theories about what happened, and why reporters believe the case needs an independent reinvestigation.

Key facts & timeline

  • Date/time: Fire reported ~9:00 PM, March 7, 2023; investigators estimate fire began ~20–30 minutes earlier.
  • Victims: Summer Day (36), Autumn Day Stewart (9), Ezra Day Stewart (7), Emery Day Stewart (2). All later died of smoke inhalation.
  • Responding firefighter/husband: Walter “Sean” Stewart was on duty at the time; he and the battalion chief drove from the station to the scene after the radio call.
  • Fire origin: Kitchen, east half — visible burn patterns near stove. Scene photos show a pot on the rear burner (upright, with greasy/oily appearance), a pan to the right, melted stove knobs turned to “hot,” a melted water cooler plugged into a charred extension cord.
  • Evidence testing: Police sent only one item (a metal can) to the lab; it tested negative for accelerants.
  • Autopsy results: All deaths from fire. Summer’s BAC 0.312 (very high). Emery had a small amount of lorazepam — not lethal, unexplained in reports.
  • Prior abuse: Summer had reported years of abuse to friends and family; police records show a January 2022 arrest of Sean for domestic battery and a protective order granted to Summer in March 2022 — charges later dropped after the fire.
  • Civil/legal: Sean sued smoke alarm manufacturer Kidde (spelled KIDA in the transcript) alleging alarms failed; he’s on extended leave from CFD. City agencies did the investigation; Illinois Fire Marshal or ATF were not brought in.

Evidence from the scene (what’s notable)

  • Stove area: Pot on back burner (looks like it contained oil/grease), melted knobs turned to hot, charred extension cord and melted miscellaneous appliance near stove.
  • Pot/pattern consistent with a greasy/oily substance boiling over; arson consultant Dale Rison says such an oil flash could ignite quickly (minutes) and result in the toxic black smoke described.
  • Smoke detectors: Sean reported two smoke detectors (one on second-floor hallway, one near kitchen) and a CO detector in basement (brand Kidde). CFD report said detectors were observed and heard alerting, particularly on second floor.
  • Two Kidde AA batteries found on first-floor surfaces (hallway and bathroom) — photos show batteries with soot but not melted/charred, which specialists say suggests they were removed before the fire fully damaged them.
  • A sandwich on Summer’s bedside table — raised as a curious detail relative to what was cooking in the kitchen.
  • Autopsy detail: Summer had fractured sternum and four broken ribs; consultant says this could be from overly forceful CPR or other excessive force.

Investigative shortcomings & unexplained items

  • Limited testing: Only one piece of evidence (metal can) submitted for lab testing; no clear tests for cooking oil residue reported.
  • No apparent canvass: Investigative files show no thorough neighborhood canvas for security footage or witness interviews; phone records were not pulled (per available reports).
  • Smoke alarm/button evidence: Batteries were photographed post‑investigation but apparently not fingerprinted — investigators did not document or test them according to the materials obtained.
  • Conflict of interest: Illinois policy indicates state fire marshal should have been called where there’s a death, undetermined origin, or conflict of interest. Because the husband was a Chicago firefighter, independent jurisdiction would normally be expected; instead CFD and CPD handled the investigation themselves.
  • Blurred surveillance: CPD initially provided blurred grocery store video (alleged alibi); reporters pursued legal remedy and ultimately obtained unredacted morning footage showing a firefighter in uniform (consistent with Sean) at Jerry’s Fruit and Garden in the morning — confirming his stated morning grocery run. The back-and-forth redaction raised questions about transparency.
  • Missing timeline reconstruction: Investigators did not, in the public files, establish a full timeline of Summer’s evening (calls/messages), did not subpoena phone/social records, and did not pursue fingerprint or surveillance leads that could confirm or exclude third‑party involvement.

Three main theories explored (pros & cons)

  1. Accidental fire caused by Summer (e.g., drunk, forgot pot of oil on stove)

    • Pros: Summer had extremely high BAC; pot on stove could have contained oil that boiled over; children were asleep and succumbed to smoke.
    • Cons: A friend (Cleo) reportedly spoke with Summer ~90 minutes before the fire; Summer sounded sober and discussed leaving for Oregon. A “call me back” message arrived ~30 minutes before the fire — inconsistent with being heavily intoxicated for hours. The presence of batteries removed and other anomalies are not explained by a simple accident.

  2. Deliberately set to appear accidental (someone else set oil on stove / neutralized alarms)

    • Pros: Arson expert notes oil is an effective way to stage an accidental kitchen fire; Kidde batteries found removed and not melted (possible deliberate removal of alarms); sandwich on bedside table and other odd details raise questions.
    • Cons: No direct forensic proof (accelerant tests, fingerprints on batteries) appear in the public file; no security footage or phone records collected to corroborate third‑party presence.

  3. Husband (Sean) involvement — intentional or negligent

    • Pros: He had motive (Summer planned to leave March 8; active protective order; alleged history of abuse). The conflict-of-interest in the investigation (fire department investigating one of their own) and limited canvassing/testing create appearance of insufficient scrutiny. CPR injuries (broken ribs/sternum) noted as possibly excessive by a consultant.
    • Cons: He was on duty at the station; multiple crew members and a battalion chief corroborate his morning activity; unredacted surveillance shows him at the grocery in the morning (not evening). No physical or forensic evidence publicly ties him to starting the fire. He has not been charged.

Notable quotes & statements

  • Sean (in writing): “I don't want to interview… I do hope that [a reinvestigation] gives [family] that opportunity. I miss my family every day. I regret. I think about things I could have done differently.”
  • Summer’s mother (Maria): “God saw everything… I believe I will see Summer and the kids again in the resurrection… I miss them so much, too much.”
  • Arson consultant Dale Rison: Pot shows signs of greasy/oily substance; oil can ignite in ~10 minutes depending on type/conditions — oil is also an effective way to stage an accidental-looking fire.
  • Reporting note: Cleo says she spoke to Summer ~90 minutes before the fire and Summer sounded normal and sober; another message from Summer asking “can you call me back?” arrived about 30 minutes before the likely start time.

Why the reporters call for renewed investigation

  • The combination of: (a) documented abuse history and active protective order against Sean; (b) Summer’s immediate plan to leave the marriage the next day; (c) odd scene evidence (removed batteries, pot appearance, sandwich in bedroom, unexplained lorazepam in toddler); and (d) limited/possibly conflicted official investigation — together present unanswered questions that reporters argue should be addressed by an independent agency with subpoena power (Illinois Fire Marshal, ATF, or a special prosecutor).

What investigators (or a new review) should do next

  • Independently re-assess the scene photos and any preserved physical evidence; run accelerant/cooking oil residue tests if possible.
  • Recover and test any remaining physical items (batteries, smoke detector parts) for fingerprints/DNA.
  • Subpoena phone and social media records for Summer and Sean for the day/evening of March 7, 2023 to reconstruct timelines and communications.
  • Collect neighborhood surveillance (doorbell, ring cameras, traffic cameras) for the timeline before/during the fire.
  • Re-interview witnesses and neighbors, and examine any insurance investigator findings.
  • Have an independent, non‑conflicted agency (Illinois Fire Marshal, ATF, or Cook County Special Prosecutor) lead the review.

Sources & how to provide tips

  • The episode cites police reports, CFD materials, autopsy reports, family-supplied videos/texts, and consulting arson expert Dale Rison.
  • If you have information: tips@Audiochuck.com (requested by the podcast).
  • Episode resources and source documents available at CrimeJunkie.com (as noted in the episode).

If you want the essentials: kitchen fire origin + pot that looks like it contained oil; very high alcohol level in Summer; removed Kidde batteries found but not tested for prints; prior domestic violence and protective order; Summer planning to leave next day; investigators limited testing and did not call in independent state/federal fire investigators — all reason reporters argue the case deserves an independent reexamination.