Where is Joanna Hayes now? ‘Dateline NBC’ reveals grueling intentions of mother who killed son’s wife Heather Strube
SNELLVILLE, GEORGIA: Joanna Hayes was found guilty of murdering Heather Strube on May 27, 2011. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
This verdict was reached after a trial where the prosecution presented evidence implicating Hayes in the crime, including eyewitness testimonies, surveillance footage, and statements made by Hayes herself. As a result, she is currently serving her sentence in prison.
Hayes was charged with the murder of her daughter-in-law, Heather Strube, which took place in a Target parking lot in Snellville, Georgia, in 2009. Allegedly disguised in a wig and mustache, Hayes reportedly approached Heather and fatally shot her in the head.
The custody dispute between Hayes' son Steven Strube and Heather led to heightened tensions, as Hayes viewed Heather as unfit to raise her grandson, Carson. As a result, she resorted to violence to prevent Heather from gaining custody, ultimately leading to the tragic shooting.
Dateline NBC's new episode "Deadly Swap" revolves around Heather Strube's case, which is scheduled to premiere on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 9 pm ET on NBC.
Who is Joanna Hayes?
Joanna Hayes, a resident of Luthersville, Georgia, is known for her role in the murder of her daughter-in-law, Heather Strube. The crime took place in a Target parking lot in Snellville, Georgia, in 2009
She disguised herself with a wig and mustache and shot Strube in the head during a custody exchange with her son, Steven Strube. The motive behind the crime was allegedly Hayes' desire to prevent Strube from gaining custody of her grandson.
Hayes was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Why was Joanna Hayes not happy with Heather?
Joanna Hayes harbored discontent towards Heather, purportedly due to her belief that Heather lacked adequate parenting abilities and was an unfit mother.
Hayes reportedly accused Heather of being morally unfit to raise her grandson and expressed dissatisfaction with the idea of Heather gaining custody of the child, according to court records presented by Justia US Law.
This dissatisfaction with Heather's parenting abilities and the fear of losing custody of her grandchild may have been motivating factors behind Hayes' alleged animosity towards Heather.
How did Joanna Hayes plan Heather's murder?
Joanna Hayes meticulously orchestrated the murder of her daughter-in-law, Heather Strube, showcasing a disturbing degree of premeditation and calculation. In the days preceding the tragic incident, Hayes displayed a consistent pattern of behavior suggesting her clear intent to inflict harm upon Heather.
Firstly, Hayes contemplated various methods to execute the murder while ensuring she could escape detection. According to the court records by Justia US law, Hayes discussed her plans with an acquaintance, Paul Pinzino, on multiple occasions.
During these conversations, Hayes outlined her strategy, emphasizing the need for an airtight alibi and the disposal of the murder weapon.
She expressed her preference for using an unregistered revolver to avoid jamming issues and discussed purchasing the weapon from a casual laborer at a construction site, thus minimizing the paper trail.
She calculated the murder timing meticulously to create a timeline that would support her alibi while leaving no room for suspicion.
Additionally, Hayes carefully devised a plan to dispose of the murder weapon to erase any traces linking her to the crime. She deliberated melting the gun using tools from her home workshop, including grinders and a plasma torch, and then discarding the remnants in a nearby lake.
Furthermore, Hayes's choice of disguise—a wig and mustache—underscored her intent to conceal her identity during the commission of the crime. By adopting this disguise, Hayes aimed to evade detection and create confusion among witnesses, further complicating the investigation.
How did the police find Joanna Hayes disguised as a man?
The police found Joanna Hayes disguised as a man through various pieces of evidence and witness testimonies. Surveillance footage from the Target parking lot where the crime occurred showed a person wearing a wig and mustache approaching Heather Strube's car.
Witnesses described seeing someone wearing a disguise resembling a man at the scene of the crime.
Additionally, a truck driver reported seeing a suspicious individual wearing a wig and mustache in a white pickup truck, which was later identified as belonging to Hayes. These pieces of information helped the police connect Hayes to the disguise worn by the perpetrator during the attack on Heather Strube.
However, Hayes denied all the allegations against her, maintaining her innocence throughout the investigation and trial. She consistently denied any involvement in the murder of Heather Strube. During a recorded conversation with her son, Steven Strube, Hayes vehemently denied being responsible for the crime.
"Mom, it looks like you. It looks just like you. Walks like you," Strube asked her mother. "Why did you do it?" "I didn't, Steven. Steven, what did I have to gain by doing that?" Hayes replied, according to AJC news.
Despite her son expressing suspicion and asking why she did it, Hayes kept maintaining her innocence, stating that she did not commit the murder. This conversation was a crucial piece of evidence presented during the trial. Despite her denial, Hayes was ultimately found guilty of the murder.
When was Joanna Hayes convicted?
Joanna Hayes was convicted on May 27, 2011, after a trial where she faced charges related to the murder of her daughter-in-law, Heather Strube. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence linking Hayes to the crime, including eyewitness testimonies and surveillance footage.
The jury found Hayes guilty of murder, and she was subsequently sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
'Dateline NBC' Season 32 airs new episodes every Friday at 8 pm ET on NBC and is available for streaming on Peacock the following day.
