Crime Junkie Podcast Summary

Episode: MYSTERIOUS DEATHS OF: Steven Altman & Mary Ann Hayes
Date: February 26, 2026
Host(s): Ashley Flowers and Britt Prawat
Podcast: Crime Junkie

Overview

This episode explores the mysterious deaths of Steven Altman and his mother, Mary Ann Hayes, initially ruled suicides over a decade apart. The episode follows Robyn Altman—daughter and sister of the deceased—as she unearths deeply troubling inconsistencies and uncovers evidence that both deaths may have been murders staged as suicides. Through first-hand accounts, police records, expert reviews, and advocacy, the hosts delve into Robyn's journey for truth and justice, highlighting systemic failures and the challenges of confronting “hidden homicides.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

A Family Tragedy Raises Red Flags

• Robyn Altman's suspicions: Robyn never believed the circumstances of her brother Steven's (1984, age 21) or her mother Mary Ann's (1996) deaths were suicides, despite police rulings.
• Inciting incident: While recovering from surgery in 2013, Robyn starts digging into family history and connects with Rachel Kunin, a friend of Steven’s who also found the deaths suspicious.
  • [03:59] Ashley: “Rachel responds pretty quickly… She put his name on her [family] tree because she wanted to make sure there was some kind of record of him online.”

Steven’s Death: Unanswered Questions

• Timeline & Behavior: Steven was last seen by friends, appearing upbeat and planning to return to them after an “errand for his stepdad, Don.” He never returned and was found the next morning, hanging at Don’s workshop.
  • [06:14] Ashley: “He’s giving every indication… that he wasn’t planning to kill himself. He was planning on coming back.”
• Lack of Police Investigation: Robyn learns, via a Freedom of Information Act request, that Chicago PD has no records or reports on Steven’s case; only Don was interviewed.
  • [07:59] Ashley: “They talked to Don… but it seems like that is the only person police talked to… No documents. Right, but even suicides, though, should have some sort of record.”
  • [07:54] Britt: “And they basically ruled it a suicide without talking to anyone in the family. That’s weird, right?”
• Possible Motive: Later, evidence surfaces linking Steven’s behavior prior to death (cocaine, possible forgeries) to Don’s business, but it remains unclear.

Mary Ann’s Death: Contradictory Evidence

• Discovery & Scene: Don finds Mary Ann in their home, dead with an extension cord wrapped around her neck; she is in her underwear and shirt, with fingernail clippings scattered and a broken, bloody nail.
  • [10:15] Britt: “That doesn’t read suicide to me.”
• Forensic “Red Flags”:
  • Extension cord was not attached to anything, suggesting possible manual strangulation.
  • Vaginal swabs revealed an unknown male DNA profile; fingernail evidence contained DNA, but there was not enough to profile.
  • [12:32] Ashley: “She told [police] in no uncertain terms that her mother was not suicidal.”
  • Mary Ann’s wrists were recently shattered—making self-strangulation nearly impossible.
• Narrative Manipulation: Police reports on interviews with Robyn include false statements or things taken out of context, notably exaggerating Mary Ann’s mental health struggles and suicidal intent.
  • [13:57] Britt: “It feels to me like police were just cherry picking facts from interviews to fit their narrative…”
  • [14:17] Ashley: “Not exactly. There was someone pushing a suicide narrative, and that was Don.”

Investigation (and Missteps) Revealed

• Police Failures:
  • Testing on collected evidence is never completed; Don’s statements heavily shape both the divorce and suicide narrative despite evidence to the contrary.
  • [17:32] Ashley: “Oh, it was in there. But officers framed that as just another bad thing in Mary Ann’s life that could have contributed to her suicide…”
• Reopening the Case (2018): Robyn persuades Northfield PD to reexamine evidence. DNA found under Mary Ann’s fingernail can’t be profiled due to insufficient sample. Unknown male DNA is present in the original and current testing.
• Suspect Interview: Police interview an unnamed individual (name redacted), who ultimately refuses to provide DNA after consulting an attorney. No further suspect or evidence pursued.
  • [19:47] Britt: “Does Robyn know who it is?”
  • [19:49] Ashley: “She believes she knows who it is… it’s not proof. It’s just her opinion.”
• Police Inaction: At the sign of resistance, case is again closed.
  • [20:35] Britt: “So are subpoenas not a thing anymore? Like, what are we doing here?”

Advocacy and Expert Testimony

• Alliance for Hope International: Robyn hires this organization, which brings in expert forensic pathologists to review evidence.
  • [21:47] Quote – Dr. Megan Quinn: “The cause of this woman’s death is ligature strangulation, and the manner of death is homicide.”
• Dr. William Smock (forensic pathologist):
  • Highlights that self-strangulation is “extremely rare,” requiring a locking mechanism not present in this case.
  • Identifies two distinct ligature marks, suggesting multiple attempts or staging.
  • [23:14] Ashley: “[Dr. Smock] points out that self strangulation is extremely rare... there are two different ligature marks on her neck.”
• Missed Warnings:
  • A month before death, Mary Ann told a friend she believed Don was following her and planning to kill her—this was reported to police but not investigated.
  • [24:23] Ashley: “Apparently… after Mary Ann died, a friend… told a detective that… Mary Ann said she thought Don had been following her and was going to kill her.”

Parallels and Patterns

• Don’s Role and Motive:
  • Benefited financially from Mary Ann’s death, pressuring children to relinquish property inheritance.
  • Don’s narrative and behavior behind both deaths are highlighted — both deaths have odd similarities (paranoia, statements about being followed, multiple ligature marks).
• Steven’s Death—Further Questions:
  • Bruising on Steven’s face at time of death inconsistent with hanging; last seen alive and well.
  • [26:22] Ashley: “Steven’s face is actually covered in bruises as well. When I look at these photos, he looks like he was beaten up beforehand.”

Justice Sought, and Justice Denied

• Rejection by Authorities:
  • 2021: Alliance for Hope delivers a 26-page report to the Cook County State’s Attorney Cold Case Unit; the new Chief Medical Examiner refuses to change the official cause of death.
  • [31:23] Britt: “What do you mean, that’s it?”
• Ongoing Advocacy:
  • Robyn and Alliance for Hope continue to educate and advocate, using the case to train police nationwide.
  • Legislative efforts: “Marianne’s Law” introduced to improve law enforcement’s handling of staged deaths, currently pending in Illinois Senate.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [06:14] Ashley Flowers: “He’s giving every indication… that he wasn’t planning to kill himself. He was planning on coming back.”
• [14:17] Ashley Flowers: “There was someone pushing a suicide narrative, and that was Don.”
• [21:47] Dr. Megan Quinn: “The cause of this woman's death is ligature strangulation, and the manner of death is homicide.”
• [23:14] Ashley Flowers: “Self-strangulation is extremely rare… the cord in Marianne’s death did not have any kind of locking device.”
• [26:22] Ashley Flowers: “Steven’s face is actually covered in bruises as well. When I look at these photos, he looks like he was beaten up beforehand.”
• [20:35] Britt: “So are subpoenas not a thing anymore? Like, what are we doing here?”

Key Timestamps

• [03:14] – Robyn’s chance encounter with Rachel opens the investigation
• [06:08 – 08:22] – Revealing new details about Steven’s last night and gaps in police reports
• [09:26 – 10:15] – The suspicious scene surrounding Mary Ann’s death
• [12:29 – 14:17] – Contradictory statements in police records
• [17:28 – 19:20] – Reopening Mary Ann’s case and new DNA analysis
• [21:47] – Expert Dr. Quinn declares case is clearly homicide
• [23:12 – 24:23] – Forensic details, ignored warnings, and possible motive
• [26:22 – 28:04] – Steven’s medical photos and evidence of foul play
• [30:18 – 31:23] – Official closure despite mounting evidence

Conclusion & Takeaways

Despite clear inconsistencies, lost or missing records, new forensic reviews, and persistent advocacy by Robyn Altman, the deaths of Steven Altman and Mary Ann Hayes remain officially closed as suicides. This episode highlights the complexity and tragedy of “hidden homicides”—deaths staged or misconstrued as suicides—compounded by confirmation bias, procedural failures, and influence by those with potential motive.

Robyn continues to fight, both for her family and by contributing to broader reform through potential legislation and law enforcement training—which, thanks to Alliance for Hope, may prevent other hidden homicides from remaining hidden.

Contact Information

• For tips related to Mary Ann Hayes: Northfield Police Department – 847-446-2131
• For tips related to Steven Altman: Chicago Police Department – 312-744-2422

This episode exemplifies Crime Junkie’s style: highly detailed, empathetic, and filled with both frustration and hope as families and advocates confront systemic barriers in pursuit of justice.