In the small borough of Munhall, Pennsylvania, a grim story unfolded that would captivate and horrify the local community. It centered around a young boy named Stephen Allas, who was also known as Steve. His life was cut tragically short, not by accident or illness, but by a calculated and cruel act of poisoning. The orchestrators of this heinous crime were two women, his stepmother, Anna Allas, and her close associate, Mary Chalfa.
The motive behind Stephen's death was a disturbingly common one: financial greed. The two women had taken out insurance policies on the young boy's life, totaling a significant amount of money. In their eyes, Stephen's life was worth less than the payout they would receive upon his death. To achieve their goal, they administered a poison, stannous chloride, also known as tin salt, to the unsuspecting child.
The death of young Stephen was not an isolated incident. Investigations into the matter revealed a larger and more sinister plot. Anna Allas and Mary Chalfa were also indicted in the death of Stephen's older brother, Andrew Allas, who was 16 years old. It was discovered that the women were involved in a wholesale insurance scheme, having taken out policies on various family members. In total, their insurance holdings amounted to over $66,000, a substantial sum for the time.
The trial of Anna Allas and Mary Chalfa brought the shocking details of their crimes to light. Despite their attempts to appeal the verdict, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania upheld their convictions for the murder of Stephen Allas. Both women were sentenced to life imprisonment at the State Industrial Home for Women at Muncy, Pennsylvania. Anna Allas died in prison in 1951. Mary Chalfa, after serving 29 years, had her life sentence commuted. The case of Stephen Allas serves as a chilling reminder of the depths of human avarice and the tragic consequences that can follow.
