Mary Agnes Hoffman, 74, died in Chula Vista, California, on May 26, 1986. Officially her death was attributed to a heart attack, but authorities described the circumstances as suspicious. Her daughter, Virginia McGinnis, collected life insurance proceeds after the death, which drew further scrutiny.

Virginia McGinnis had a history of troubling incidents involving close relatives. In 1974 her husband, Sylvester Bud Rearden, died under mysterious circumstances; no charges were filed. In 1987 McGinnis was convicted of murdering 20-year-old Deana Hubbard Wild by pushing her off a cliff in Big Sur after taking out a $35,000 life insurance policy on her. Investigators did not have enough evidence to charge McGinnis in her mother’s death.

Did anyone know Mary Agnes Hoffman or notice anything unusual about her health or contacts in the weeks before May 26, 1986?