Overview of MYSTERIOUS DEATHS OF: Steven Altman & Mary Ann Hayes
This Crime Junkie episode (hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt) tells the story of siblings Robin Altman’s two unexplained family deaths — her brother Stephen Altman (1984) and her mother Marianne (Mary Ann) Hayes (1996) — both officially ruled suicides but questioned by Robin and outside experts. A chance reconnection in 2013, FOIA requests, re-testing of evidence and a nonprofit review (Alliance for Hope International) created a chain of new findings that strongly challenge the original conclusions, but despite expert opinions calling Marianne’s death a homicide, both cases remain closed.
Key people & timeline
- Stephen (Stephen/Steven) Altman — died 1984, age 21; found hanging at stepfather Don’s workshop in Chicago. Originally ruled suicide.
- Marianne (Mary Ann) Hayes — died September 25, 1996; found in Northfield, IL, with an extension cord around her neck; ruled suicide by self-strangulation.
- Robin Altman — daughter/sister who pushed for re-investigation beginning in 2013.
- Don (stepfather/husband) Hayes — found Marianne, sole cooperating family member in original investigations; alleged to have motive and was central to police narrative.
- Rachel Kunin — old friend of Stephen who reconnected with Robin via Ancestry.com and provided last-seen details.
- Alliance for Hope International — nonprofit that reviewed Marianne’s case and produced a forensic critique.
- Forensic reviewers cited: Dr. Megan Quinn and Dr. William Smock (pathologists who disagreed with original findings).
What triggered the re-investigation
- 2013: While recovering from surgery, Robin searched Ancestry and found a family tree made by Rachel Kunin, leading to contact and new eyewitness detail: Stephen told friends he was “running an errand for his stepdad” the night before he was found dead — a detail never disclosed previously.
- Robin filed FOIA requests for both cases. Chicago PD returned no records for Stephen; Northfield PD produced a substantial file for Marianne.
Evidence & inconsistencies (Marianne Hayes)
- Scene: Marianne found in underwear and shirt, extension cord wrapped multiple times around neck (cord not secured to a fixed point), towel over legs, no suicide note.
- Physical findings: broken fingernail with blood and fingernail clippings collected; vaginal swabs taken at autopsy produced an unknown male DNA profile.
- Prior injury: Marianne had shattered both wrists about eight weeks before death (one wrist required bone grafts), making self-strangulation mechanically questionable.
- Contradictory police reports: Robin’s interviews were misrepresented in records to support suicide (claims she said mother was suicidal and had past attempts — which Robin disputes). Don’s statements to police emphasizing marital conflict and alleged suicidal threats appear to have influenced the narrative.
- Evidence handling: original ME ruled suicide; lab recommended further analysis of the unknown male profile only if suspect DNA was available — DNA testing was not pursued at the time.
Evidence & inconsistencies (Stephen Altman)
- Scene: Found hanging by a nylon rope/crane hoist at Don’s workshop; last seen alive telling friends he would run an errand for Don and be right back.
- Medical report/photos (obtained later via WGN): two ligature marks on the neck and facial bruising consistent with prior assault (Robin and reviewers say bruising differs from typical hanging).
- Confusing lifestyle details: reports of Stephen carrying/giving away a large amount of cocaine and mentions of bad checks tied to “the business” (implying potential financial/drug-related motives or entanglements).
- Investigation shortfall: Chicago PD reportedly produced little to no investigative records; Stephen’s case lacked a substantive probe.
Forensic reviews & expert conclusions
- Alliance for Hope engaged forensic experts to re-review Marianne’s autopsy and evidence:
- Dr. Megan Quinn: asserted the death is ligature strangulation and the manner should be homicide.
- Dr. William Smock: concluded self-strangulation is highly unlikely without a locking device; identified two distinct ligature marks (suggesting force applied twice), questioned the original ME findings and the absence of follow-up on the unknown DNA.
- 2018 re-testing: evidence re-submitted to the regional crime lab. Cord yielded no DNA; vaginal swab again produced the same unknown male profile; DNA under the broken fingernail had insufficient quantity for profiling.
- Police asked an individual (name redacted) to provide a DNA sample; that person initially agreed, then invoked counsel and refused to provide a sample. Afterward, the investigation was closed again.
Investigations, institutional responses & outcomes
- Northfield PD reopened Marianne’s case in 2018 and submitted evidence for testing. Results produced persistent unknown male DNA but no conclusive match.
- Alliance for Hope compiled a 26-page report and presented it to the Cook County State’s Attorney Cold Case Unit (2021). Cold Case Unit expressed concerns; the Chief Medical Examiner for Cook County reviewed materials but refused to change the manner of death and cited (without documented citation) instances of self-strangulation. The Chief ME did not provide a detailed public rebuttal.
- Original Cook County ME (Dr. Kogan) reportedly did not meaningfully engage with critique; subsequent communications were unproductive.
- Status: Both Marianne Hayes and Stephen Altman’s deaths remain officially closed as suicide/self-strangulation. No charges have been filed against Don Hayes or anyone else.
Motive, opportunity, and patterns suggested by reviewers
- Motive: Alliance for Hope and Robin note Don Hayes had potential financial motive (house and condo ownership shifts, alleged pressure on children to sign claims to property after Marianne’s death). Robin reports Don retained the Northfield home and partial interest in the condo — plus alleged withdrawal of earlier condo buyout agreement.
- Opportunity/behavior: Don was at work the morning Stephen was found; Don was the one who reported finding Marianne and gave narratives that influenced police; reports (uncorroborated in transcript) exist that Marianne told a friend she felt followed and feared being killed.
- Pattern: Both deaths involving ligatures and two ligature marks; both victims reportedly raised concerns about being followed or threatened prior to death; both investigations are criticized as incomplete and influenced by a dominant narrative from Don.
Actions taken by Robin & advocacy
- Robin pursued FOIAs, worked with Alliance for Hope International, funded re-testing and independent forensic reviews, and has petitioned law enforcement and medical examiners for reconsideration.
- Alliance for Hope uses Marianne’s case to train law enforcement on “hidden homicides” (deaths staged as suicides).
- Legislative effort: “Marianne’s Law” — proposed Illinois legislation aimed at training law enforcement to better identify staged suicides, especially in domestic violence contexts (bill pending in Illinois Senate as of episode).
- Community: Robin connected with other families who suspect hidden homicides and says the advocacy provides support.
What remains unresolved / next steps recommended by experts (from episode)
- Retesting / investigative follow-up:
- Obtain and compare DNA from any viable suspects or persons of interest (including the redacted individual) to the unknown male profile from the vaginal swab.
- Try to obtain or re-analyze the DNA under the broken fingernail if newer techniques allow profiling from low-template DNA.
- Re-examine original autopsy photos and medical records with independent forensic pathologists.
- Legal / procedural:
- Subpoena the redacted person’s DNA if probable cause exists and pursue follow-up interviews.
- Consider reclassification of Marianne’s manner of death if forensic evidence and investigative findings support homicide.
- Policy:
- Expand law enforcement training on staged suicides and domestic-violence-related deaths (the intent of Marianne’s Law).
Notable quotes & expert summaries
- Dr. Megan Quinn: “The cause of this woman's death is ligature strangulation and the manner of death is homicide.”
- Dr. William Smock: Self-strangulation is extremely rare; lack of locking mechanism on the cord and presence of two ligature marks are inconsistent with suicide and more consistent with homicide or staged staging.
Current status & how to provide information
- Cases remain closed; no charges filed. Robin Altman continues to press for reopening and further testing.
- Contact information cited in the episode:
- Northfield Police Department (Marianne Hayes): 847-446-2131
- Chicago Police Department (Stephen Altman): 312-744-2422
- Audiochuck tips: tips@audiochuck.com
Short takeaway
Two family deaths officially ruled suicides have substantial, independently reviewed forensic inconsistencies and untested DNA evidence. Advocates and forensic experts argue Marianne Hayes’ death, at minimum, warrants reclassification to homicide and further investigation; despite re-testing and a formal expert report, local authorities have so far declined to change the rulings and both files remain closed.