Mother-in-law key suspect in Target slaying

The mother-in-law is the only suspect in the shooting death of a woman outside a Snellville Target in the presence of the victim’s baby, police said Wednesday.

Joanna Hayes is under investigation in the April 26 murder of Heather Strube, who was strapping her baby into a car seat when she was shot, police said.

“She has been a suspect for awhile,” said Snellville Capt. Harold Thomas, who offered no details.

Authorities also are investigating the victim’s estranged husband and Hayes’ son, Steven Strube.

“He did not do the shooting, but we haven’t ruled him out on not knowing anything,” Thomas said Wednesday.

Both the mother-in-law and husband have denied involvement. The two passed a lie detector test administered by T.J. Ward, who was hired by their attorney.

“They both took a layered voice analysis test and we found no deception,” said Ward, who also worked on the Natalee Holloway case, the Alabama high school student who disappeared in Aruba. “They have no knowledge of the murder and did not participate in the murder.”

Heather Strube — separated and planning a divorce — met Steven Strube in the Target parking lot to exchange custody of their 18-month-old son.

She was confronted after her husband left the scene. After exchanging words, the suspect shot Heather Strube in the head and fled, police said. The shooter, who police say was a woman, wore a wig and fake mustache.

Several hours after the murder, police visited Steven Strube’s home to inform him of his wife’s death. Strube lied to police about his identity before agreeing to give detectives an interview, Steven Strube’s attorney Trey Phillips said.

“I can’t say why he lied,” Phillips said Wednesday. “But he’s met with police four times and answered every question they had. He’s cooperated with them fully, perhaps to the detriment of his family relationships.”

Police declined to discuss details of those interviews or say why Hayes is a suspect. On Friday, a Gwinnett County judge awarded Heather Strube’s parents, Mary and Henry Allen, temporary custody of the child, who is now 2 years old.

“Mr. and Mrs. Allen do not want Steven Strube’s family to have any contact with the child at this time given their pattern of criminal conduct, lying to police and the fact that Joanna Hayes has been named the prime suspect in Heather’s murder,” said Phyllis Miller, an attorney for the Allens.

Steven Strube did not attend the custody hearing.

He remains in the Newton County jail. On Tuesday, a Newton County judge ordered him to serve four months for violating his probation.

Court records show Strube was placed on probation after pleading guilty to theft by receiving in Newton County. He also is on probation in Fulton County after pleading guilty to burglary and criminal damage to property, court records show.

Phillips said the judge’s ruling is only temporary and his client plans to seek custody of the boy once he is released from jail.