Mother-in-law interviewed in case of gunned-down mom

By Andria Simmons

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Snellville police on Thursday said the mother-in-law of Heather Strube is a "person of interest" in the shooting that claimed Strube's life on April 26.

Heather Strube was shot dead April 26 after picking up her son from her estranged husband in a custody swap.

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Capt. Harold Thomas said the mother-in-law drives a white pickup truck similar to one seen idling in the rear of a Target shopping center in Snellville where Strube was killed. Investigators have already scoured the truck for clues related to the slaying. Evidence from the truck was sent to the GBI to be processed, which should take about two weeks, Thomas said.

Thomas declined to name the mother-in-law. He said investigators have questioned her twice, once at her home and once at police headquarters.

"She has not been cooperative at all since," Thomas said.

Police have said all along that Strube may have known her attacker, who wore a wig and mustache disguise. Witnesses said the two appeared to argue before the shooter opened fire. After reviewing surveillance video from the scene, investigators also said they believed the shooter could be a woman.

Strube, 25, met her estranged husband, Steven Strube, at the shopping center that day to do a custody swap. The shooting happened moments after Strube placed their toddler son inside her SUV.

Witnesses saw the husband drive away shortly before the suspect walked up. Investigators have said they do not believe the husband was the shooter, although they have not ruled out the possibility he was involved.