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Was the mysterious death of Rebecca Zahau a suicide or a staged homicide? Let’s let the forensic evidence decide.
Rebecca Zahau is from Falam in the Chin Hills of Myanmar known as Falam, formally known as Burma. During her childhood she moved around a lot including Nepal and Germany. She learned to speak many different languages.
Photo Source: eOnline (website)
In 2002, Rebecca met then 36-year old Neil Nalepa while in school and immigrated to the United States with him. Rebecca and Neil married in 2002 in Long Island, New York. The couple were married for nearly 9 years before they decided to split in 2008.
Around this time, Rebecca met multi-millionaire Jonah Shacknai, CEO of Medicis Pharmaceutical. Despite their 22-year age difference, Rebecca and Jonah started dating.
Jonah Shacknai was a twice divorced father of three: Max, Ethan, and Gabby. He shared his son Max with ex-wife Dina Shacknai.
Photo Source: Newsweek
A few months after Rebecca and Jonah met, in August 2009, the upbeat and active Rebecca was arrested for shoplifting after she stole about $1,000 worth of jewelry from a Macy’s in Phoenix, Arizona. She was given a slip on the wrist and a $500 fine.
The divorce between Rebecca and her husband Neil became finalized in February 2011, and by all accounts Rebecca’s relationship with her new boyfriend, Jonah Shacknai seemed to be going really well.
Photo Source: ABC News
In July 2011, Rebecca and Jonah were staying at Jonah’s 27-room beachfront mansion in Coronado, California.
Photo Source: eOnline
On Monday, July 11th, 2011, Jonah Shacknai went to the gym while Rebecca and her teenage sister, Xena stayed in the mansion with Jonah’s 6-year old Max. Shortly after Jonah left for the gym, Max was playing upstairs on the second floor. While playing, Max tripped over something that caused the 6-year old to go head first over the railing onto the first floor. He was immediately rush to the hospital for life threatening injuries from the accident.
Photo Source: eOnline (website)
Jonah’s brother, Adam Shacknai arrived in Coronado Monday night after the accident.
A few days later, on July 13th Rebecca Zahau was found hanging, completely nude from the second floor balcony. Her body was discovered by Jonah’s brother, Adam Shacknai.
Photo Source: ABC News (website)
Rebecca was completely nude, her hands and ankles bound, and a turquoise shirt stuffed in her mouth as a gag.
Although the circumstances were suspicious, her death was ruled by the San Diego Sheriff’s Department as a suicide.
Six-year-old Max Shacknai died from the accident a few days later.
Photo Source: ABC News (website)
Despite the suicide ruling, many believe Rebecca Zahau may have been a victim of foul play.
Here’s the evidence we have on the case:
Rebecca’s hands were tied behind her back in a clove hitch knot.
Photo Source: ABC News
There was black paint discovered on her breasts, like she was pinched, but not evidence of the paint on her hands.
The rope around her neck was tied to a bed inside the bedroom on the second floor. To get over the railing, Rebecca would have taken off all her clothes, tied the ankles and wrists in the clove hitch style knot, and tipped herself over the balcony.
The words “She Saved Him Can You Save Her” were painted in black paint on balcony door.
Photo Source: Medium (website)
Inside the bedroom, investigators found 2 knives. One of the knives was covered in Rebecca’s menstrual blood. Rebecca’s fingerprints were found on the knife as well as 2 other DNA profiles were found, someone other than Rebecca.
Rebecca’s autopsy revealed 4 instances of head trauma. Some experts have suggested these instances of head trauma are not consistent with a hanging.
There’s also been a lot of questions about the injuries to Rebecca’s neck, specifically whether or not the injuries found on her neck are consistent with a long-drop hanging. It’s even possible that with a long-drop hanging, the individual can suffer a broken neck, and even internal or external decapitation. Rebecca’s injuries were far less severe.
Supporters of the homicide theory have argued that the way in which Rebecca hung herself is just not consistent with female suicides. Rebecca hung herself, completely nude, while on her menstrual cycle, for basically the entire world to see.
Did Rebecca Zahau commit suicide because of the guilt she felt from her boyfriend’s son, Max’s accident?
Or, was she murdered and her death staged to look like a suicide because she was the one responsible for caring for Max the day of his accident?
I want to hear from YOU! Email your thoughts on this week’s case to courtney@forensictales.com
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