CA - Rebecca Nalepa - suicide or murder? #8

[Paladine]

I just heard about this tragic set of events today so I am just catching up on all the threads.

I'm confused. I read an article that said Adam cut her down to try to save her. The pic I saw showed her laying face up with the rope and a shirt wrapped around her neck. I read in other articles she was lying face down.

Seems like he would've placed her on her back when he cut her down and loosened the ligature if he was trying to save her. Not intending to sound accusatory, just trying to find out if there is some clarification about what really happened when he found her.

Greetings and :welcome5:

I will leave clarification on Adams statements and body positioning to another because I'm still reading through todays developments...but, welcome to our :rollercoaster:

 

[jjenny]

I just heard about this tragic set of events today so I am just catching up on all the threads.

I'm confused. I read an article that said Adam cut her down to try to save her. The pic I saw showed her laying face up with the rope and a shirt wrapped around her neck. I read in other articles she was lying face down.

Seems like he would've placed her on her back when he cut her down and loosened the ligature if he was trying to save her. Not intending to sound accusatory, just trying to find out if there is some clarification about what really happened when he found her.

She was dead for hours when found her. There was no saving to be done there. Maybe he figured it out.

 

[elementry]

It sure does.

I don't see how a 6-year-old could go flying over that railing, even with a running start.

Seeing this photo bolsters my original theory: either planking or some other form of horseplay at that railing with a sibling.

I'm supposing LE meant that at the angle they hypothesize MS hurtling down the stairs, it is about 20 inches above the top step of the landing. Sloppy wording and formulation from a team that I believe really thinks they have the scenarios figured out and just want to get this over with. There was a hint of self-satisfied arrogance to this bunch that definitely didn't want to consider alternate possibilities, at least during this presser. Of course all their theories were correct. Zero chance of them not backing their very own verdict.

 

[InTheGarden]

This such a sad case. I thought from the beginning that this was suicide. If this had been a murder committed by the logical suspects, she would not have been killed in the house. She would have simply disappeared. No one would really know what had actually happened to her.

RN really put a lot of effort into making a dramatic exit and it was designed to send a message to JS.

It is especially tragic because she had a loving family to turn to support her while she put a new life together.

Peace to all involved.

 

[Paladine]

I'm supposing LE meant that at the angle they hypothesize MS hurtling down the stairs, it is about 20 inches above the top step of the landing. Sloppy wording and formulation from a team that I believe really thinks they have the scenarios figured out and just want to get this over with. There was a hint of self-satisfied arrogance to this bunch that definitely didn't want to consider alternate possibilities, at least during this presser. Of course all their theories were correct. Zero chance of them not backing their very own verdict.

That I usually find, from my human experience, the attitude of those creating a defensive posture...not a confident posture...not someone reasonably sure of their findings and willing to explore and explain...just a closed-armed arrogance to deflect doubters, imo.

 

[delaney]

After you wrote that, I could hear Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman movie...

Edward: So what happened after he climbed up the tower and rescued her?
Vivian: She rescues him right back.


Edward (JS) rescued Vivian(RN) financially, but Vivian(RN) rescued Edward (JS)emotionally and spiritually.

Maybe that was their movie.... She rescued him emotionally/spiritually following his 2nd divorce - gave up her job, friends and life to take care of him and his kids. Then, he blamed her for MS death and possibly broke it off during the last call. She was upset and angry. She had expected more in return. In the end, he could not save her. The relationship was over. She knew it, and committed suicide.

I knew it was from a movie right away but I kept thinking
it was from Pride and Prejudice, which is one of my go to movies
when the going gets rough.

My prayers are for both of the families, there are no winners here.

It is very hard to accept when a loved one commits suicide. When
my son-in-law shot himself in the parking lot of a store, he knew
there would be an investigation. He MAILED out 5 suicide notes, one
to my daughter, one for my husband and me, one to his dad, and
one each for his two young children.

Rebecca's suicide is quite bizarre but heart-breaking also.

I kept wanting to
post but being that I said I would wait until the investigation was
over before I would comment, I couldn't.

I still believe JS and DS are loving, dedicated people who have given
so much to others through their work with autism. And that the loss of
Max and Rebecca will be felt for a long time.

 

[itsreenw]

Greetings and :welcome5:

I will leave clarification on Adams statements and body positioning to another because I'm still reading through todays developments...but, welcome to our :rollercoaster:

Thank you Paladine. I don't get on WS as much as I used to. I, like RN, have been dating a man for 2 yrs and I am very involved in his kids' lives so my online time is limited now.

Because of my boyfriend's work schedule (he's a policeman) I spend a lot of time dropping off'/picking them up from school, sports practices, checking homework. cooking dinner, laundry, etc... someone referred to RN as 'just a girlfriend'. I am 'just a girlfriend' but I love my future stepchildren and I love every minute I can spend with them.

 

[CalElliot]

There's a graphic of Max falling over staircase to floor, plus graphic of where bruising, contusions were found on his body.

WHY WERE THERE NO COMPARABLE GRAPHICS OF HOW RZ ALLEGED BOUND HERSELF, MOVED HERSELF TO BALCONY, AND LAUNCHED HERSELF TO HER OWN SUICIDAL DEATH?

 

[askfornina]

There's a graphic of Max falling over staircase to floor, plus graphic of where bruising, contusions were found on his body.

WHY WERE THERE NO COMPARABLE GRAPHICS OF HOW RZ ALLEGED BOUND HERSELF, MOVED HERSELF TO BALCONY, AND LAUNCHED HERSELF TO HER OWN SUICIDAL DEATH?

i am wondering this too. i find it very odd that they didn't show a reenactment of the entire thing. (save the jumping of course.) perhaps i am naive, but if this really was a suicide, and the evidence truly points to nothing but a suicide, and LE continue to get heat for this, maybe they will release more information such as a reenactment. at the very least they surely will have to make another statement?

 

[Curious Me]

The local news tonight reported that the message on the door said something like -
"SHE SAVED HIM. WILL HE SAVE HER?"

The news is reporting that RZ's family is not satisfied with the investigation. Seems like many people feel this was a murder and should be investigated more thoroughly.

 

[Paladine]

power point presentation and other info from SFSD....probably a repeat but worth it, imo...

http://www.sdsheriff.net/coronado/index.html

 

[Paladine]

is it common for the family, well, Jonah Shacknai to have a personal statement on the San Diego County Sheriff’s website, set up to inform the public of the investigation? Seems hinky to me...have a read...and notice how its indexed on the first link...just as if IT was police work, imo...and to say, "case closed". I don't think so, buddy...IMO

While the investigation is over, the emptiness and sadness in our hearts will remain forever.
Max was an extraordinarily loving, happy, talented, and special little boy.. He brought joy to
everyone who knew him, and we will miss him desperately. Rebecca too was a wonderful and
unique person who will always have a special place in my heart. Nothing will ever be the same
for our families after these losses, but with today’s information providing some much needed
answers, we will try to rebuild our lives and honor the memories we carry with us. Thank you
for respecting our privacy as we struggle forward.

http://www.sdsheriff.net/coronado/index.html

http://www.sdsheriff.net/coronado/shacknai-statement.pdf

 

[Paladine]

Likely repeat but I love this quote:

Bremner said the family would like a forensic psychiatrist and a criminal profiler to investigate the case. “We’re not pointing fingers, but we want a further investigation.”

The attorney also claimed to RadarOnline.com that the police have a cryptic note they claim is a suicide note, but the family does not believe it is Rebecca’s handwriting and she alleges that the police did not analyze other samples of her handwriting.

“We want a further analysis, including fingerprints and other evidence the police say they have.”

Bremner said the family was distraught that Rebecca’s death is being ruled a suicide. “All this family wants is justice,” Bremner said. “If Jonah Shacknai is in the same camp he shouldn’t be fighting us.”

http://www.radaronline.com/exclusiv...ecca-zahau-family-do-not-want-case-closed-not

 

[tiredblondy]

Detectives claim a witness told them she was not working out. Gym trainer says she was working out all the time.
"But according to trainers, Zahau worked out constantly this summer. “She was in that weekend,” Reed Holman said, referring to the days before Zahau died."
http://coronado.patch.com/articles/community-reacts-to-detectives-suicide-finding-in-mansion-death

Good catch. Maybe at the time she spoke to her friend, was it in Jan, she wasn't working out then?

If I were the family I would demand to see her phone journal.

 

[Curious Me]

Autopsy: Rebecca Zahau found dead with T-shirt in mouth


"Explosive new details contained in an autopsy report suggest Rebecca Zahau was not only found naked, bound and hanging at the historic Spreckels mansion in Coronado; but she was also gagged with a T-shirt wrapped around her mouth and neck."



http://www.cbs8.com/story/15388199/autopsy-rebecca-zahau-found-gagged-with-t-shirt-in-mouth

 

[Curious Me]

BBM I'm learning more as I catch up. I didn't know about the scooter.

"Rebecca was in the restroom (and) she heard a loud crash. She found Max unresponsive on the floor beneath the banister," the report said. "She heard Max say the dog's name ‘Ocean' and (Max) then became unresponsive."

"A ‘Razor' type scooter was lying across his right shin," the report continued. "(Max) had been told in the past not to ride his scooter in the hallway."

http://www.cbs8.com/story/15388199/autopsy-rebecca-zahau-found-gagged-with-t-shirt-in-mouth

 

[Bonepile]

I do not ever remember in the conduct of a case such as this that a police department or sheriff's office has allowed a statement to be posted from a relative of a victim such as seen here in this report.

This case just keeps getting stranger and stranger. I wonder how long it will be before that message is removed from the Sheriff's website? ... and will we find that Rebecca's family has been afforded this same courtesy?

 

[~n/t~]

At the beginning, I went back and forth as to whether she committed suicide or not. After watching the PC and the ridiculous reenactment of how she tied the knot, I am TOTALLY convinced it was NOT suicide. Thanks to LE for tipping the scale on this one. :innocent:

I hope her family continues to pursue this and whoever is responsible will pay for what they did to this beautiful woman.

 

[otto]

Why is it so hard to believe that this woman, born in Korea, was distraught over the death of the son of her lover ... perhaps knowing that her relationship would never be the same and thus she committed suicide? The family (sister) disagrees that it was suicide. The only person on the property was the child's uncle, his father's brother, and he claims he found her hanging. The photos show that she was tied with an electrical cord and the uncle admits he cut her down when he found her in the morning. The sister claims that they spoke that night and she was going to call her parents in the morning.

I think it's suicide.

 

[otto]

At the beginning, I went back and forth as to whether she committed suicide or not. After watching the PC and the ridiculous reenactment of how she tied the knot, I am TOTALLY convinced it was NOT suicide. Thanks to LE for tipping the scale on this one. :innocent:

I hope her family continues to pursue this and whoever is responsible will pay for what they did to this beautiful woman.

"beautiful woman" ... she reminds me of the woman that disappeared in Aruba ... eye straightening, nose, cheeks, chin and augmentation ... all the plastic needed to remove any self-esteem or sense of self.