CA - Rebecca Nalepa - suicide or murder? #8

[arielilane]

There have been questions about who was at the residence the day of Max's fall. Please see the following conversation. In addition, I believe GS was there as well. She and AS immediately if not sooner seem to leave SD rather quickly. BBM

PINSKY: Did you have any kinds of conversation with her in the days before this horrible thing happened? Was she in any sort of distress? Can you shine a light on that for us?

ZAHAU: Actually, I spoke with her the day of Max`s injury and the day after. The day of the injury, she called me to ask for my opinion, what to do with the injury that my younger sister had sustained while they were cleaning up the chandelier pieces.

PINSKY: It`s awful. How are you and the family doing? Are you guys OK?

ZAHAU: We are trying to survive one day at a time.

PINSKY: Yes. I understand.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1109/02/ddhln.01.html

 

[justice be served]

Well I am pretty sure I couldn't have tied any of this. Did RN have any experience in boating? And how heavy is the bed? Would she have to lift up the bed to get that loop around the leg? And why around the bed's leg? If one is going to jump off the balcony, I presume most people would just put a rope around the balcony's railing.

BBM
Very good point. Lifting the bed to put a pre-tied rope (as some have suggested) around the leg would be tough for a 100 pound woman. And I would think that moving the bed away from the wall would be even harder for such a petite woman.

 

[Quester]

I might have missed this being discussed here since the PC, but did we ever find out who Paul Pfingst, the attorney, was representing? He showed up at the mansion when Rebecca was found but wasn't admitted in to the crime scene and I believe said he was representing an unnamed family member?

BBM

I'm believing that PP was hired to look out for all parties whose last name begins with "S".

But, to answer your question - no, officially we still only know that PP is representing an unnamed family member but not JS.

 

[arielilane]

I might have missed this being discussed here since the PC, but did we ever find out who Paul Pfingst, the attorney, was representing? He showed up at the mansion when Rebecca was found but wasn't admitted in to the crime scene and I believe said he was representing an unnamed family member?

I'm glad you brought this up, justice be served. I don't recall that it has been discussed in awhile. I too would like to know. I doubt we will know anytime soon.

 

[Peaceful]

There have been questions about who was at the residence the day of Max's fall. Please see the following conversation. In addition, I believe GS was there as well. She and AS immediately if not sooner seem to leave SD rather quickly. BBM

PINSKY: Did you have any kinds of conversation with her in the days before this horrible thing happened? Was she in any sort of distress? Can you shine a light on that for us?

ZAHAU: Actually, I spoke with her the day of Max`s injury and the day after. The day of the injury, she called me to ask for my opinion, what to do with the injury that my younger sister had sustained while they were cleaning up the chandelier pieces.

PINSKY: It`s awful. How are you and the family doing? Are you guys OK?

ZAHAU: We are trying to survive one day at a time.

PINSKY: Yes. I understand.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1109/02/ddhln.01.html

I have fully believed all along that GS was there and ES was somewhere most likely with his father. IMO

 

[Stella5]

Well I am pretty sure I couldn't have tied any of this. Did RN have any experience in boating? And how heavy is the bed? Would she have to lift up the bed to get that loop around the leg? And why around the bed's leg? If one is going to jump off the balcony, I presume most people would just put a rope around the balcony's railing.

Gggrrr! My internet keeps blowing! They are doing some repair work down the street... anyway...

You didn't have to lift the bed up to get the rope on it. Look at the leg... the leg is not through the loop... the rope is around the leg, the bed frame and the foot board. The knots like I said are not difficult ... make a circle with a rope, then pull one in through, then you get those two knots. Why she made the one next to the leg, I don't know... it's not securing anything other than making the pre-formed loop smaller. It does appear that a knot was made around the bottom pole of the footboard, unless that is resting on top... the picture isn't clear to determine where exactly it is. My point is anyone who can tie their shoes could have tied these particular knots.

As for the rope around her wrists or ankles, since we don't have those particular photos we have no idea just how intricate they were... but in the "re-enactment" there are no intricate knots. Just weaving the rope back & forth as if you were rolling it to put it away, and then making the slip knot in the center. That is not difficult to do. The ME even stated the end of the rope was still threaded through Rebecca's fingers and that part would have been used to tighten the loops, but they were still pretty loose.

The bed moved from the weight of Rebecca going over the balcony. From the indentation of the footrest on the carpet, it moved a full 8 inches. Those fake iron beds are not heavy at all, even with the mattress. My 13 year old moves hers around her room all the time rearranging her furniture and she is about Rebecca's size. I believe the bed was used, instead of the railing because IMO the railing doesn't look all that secure... looks pretty rotted from the sea water/air. MOO.

 

[Stella5]

If he was riding the scooter upstairs and fell downstairs, I don't see how it would be possible for the scooter to land right next to him - it just defies logic. I assumed when I read about the scooter and the soccer balls that they were downstairs from him playing with them there (most likely brought inside from outside play). Also, I can't imagine him bringing the scooter upstairs to ride. Even at 6, he would have to know that is forbidden. I can only imagine he was a curious, spirited little 6 year old who had no fear and did something risky without knowing the consequences

I agree with you! How would he be riding the scooter upstairs on what appears to be pretty plush carpeting? There is no way you can ride a scooter on the carpet, it simply wouldn't go anywhere. I think it was left in the foyer after being used outside, I just can't imagine how it ended up on top of his shin and stayed there until the paramedics arrived if Rebecca was performing CPR. Doesn't make any sense!

 

[justice be served]

Gggrrr! My internet keeps blowing! They are doing some repair work down the street... anyway...

You didn't have to lift the bed up to get the rope on it. Look at the leg... the leg is not through the loop... the rope is around the leg, the bed frame and the foot board. The knots like I said are not difficult ... make a circle with a rope, then pull one in through, then you get those two knots. Why she made the one next to the leg, I don't know... it's not securing anything other than making the pre-formed loop smaller. It does appear that a knot was made around the bottom pole of the footboard, unless that is resting on top... the picture isn't clear to determine where exactly it is. My point is anyone who can tie their shoes could have tied these particular knots.

As for the rope around her wrists or ankles, since we don't have those particular photos we have no idea just how intricate they were... but in the "re-enactment" there are no intricate knots. Just weaving the rope back & forth as if you were rolling it to put it away, and then making the slip knot in the center. That is not difficult to do. The ME even stated the end of the rope was still threaded through Rebecca's fingers and that part would have been used to tighten the loops, but they were still pretty loose.

The bed moved from the weight of Rebecca going over the balcony. From the indentation of the footrest on the carpet, it moved a full 8 inches. Those fake iron beds are not heavy at all, even with the mattress. My 13 year old moves hers around her room all the time rearranging her furniture and she is about Rebecca's size. I believe the bed was used, instead of the railing because IMO the railing doesn't look all that secure... looks pretty rotted from the sea water/air. MOO.

Thank you for your great analysis! That totally clears that part up for me at least on the bed portion.

 

[Stella5]

Well I totally agree someone experienced in boating would know what to do. But would a regular female know how to secure a rope to the bed as if securing a boat? Did RN have any experience in boating? Her family should know.

These are not boat knots, that's my point. Any regular female could have tied this rope and made these knots. The knots were a big topic of conversation weeks ago during these threads when everyone was convinced AS must have killed RZ for JS. If he were to do this, the knots would have been much more sophisticated than these were. These two particular knots are not used in any way, shape or form in boating so you don't have to be a boater to make these knots. I know how to tie at least 16 different types of knots for docking, anchoring, mooring, towing, etc... and I have never used one so simple as these two were. These were made to shorten the rope and/or secure it to the bed.

 

[time]

How many of those "jumping hangings" where nude women, with hands and feet bound, and gagged with a t-shirt? I am pretty sure that answer will be none (if you don't count RN).

I couldn't find one case with all these elements even discarding the shirt. Also, repeating myself, you have to take into account completed suicides and accidental deaths. Even if you consider just nude hanging outside without binds, it's rare, but binding their feet also? I couldn't find hardly anything on people binding their feet unless it was autoerotic asphyxia/BDSM gone bad, gone too far.... not really suicide anyway. This whole case is making me wonder if, in fact, a lot of suspicious deaths are ruled suicide when they are not. Like the guy who was found in a public bathroom - I think duct taped? I think he was homeless so they just didn't care. You also have to take cases of suicides made to look like a homicide for insurance purposes out of the lot.

 

[deanna82437]

I might have missed this being discussed here since the PC, but did we ever find out who Paul Pfingst, the attorney, was representing? He showed up at the mansion when Rebecca was found but wasn't admitted in to the crime scene and I believe said he was representing an unnamed family member?

Thanks, I was trying to recall his name. Seems he has disappeared totally from this case/event. (unless he is referenced again elsewhere recently)

JMO

 

[Peaceful]

Does anyone else find it odd that RZ chose to cut the rope with a kitchen knife? I realize she was allegedly "suicidal" and perhaps stressed etc., acknowledging that, wouldnt it still be WAY easier to cut the rope with scissors? Wouldn't RZ know where scissors were? A house guest may not though. Oh and wait, didnt AS run to the kitchen because it was the quickest thing he could think of to cut her down?

Wasn't the main house locked? How did he get in? Why wouldn't you call 911 before you cut her down? Maybe because common sense says they would have said DONT TOUCH HER?
And he "dragged the table" and that's how the leg broke? That table doesn't appear to weigh more that 20 lbs. Seriously?

I found it disgusting that the presenters at the PC had the gall to say more than once, well, unless someone can prove me wrong" That sounds like a challenge.

A thorough investigation that took six weeks, conveniently ended at the beginning of a three day weekend, and resulted in so little answers is not very thorough at all.

Not talking to HER FAMILY until they were ready to explain the conclusion? What about their life in AZ? It doesn't sould like they interviewed hardly anyone there. They only lived in Coronado in the summer from what I read. What about the rest of the year? The rest of the people?

This story has been handled with white gloves since the start. I have never watched a crime story this closely and then have it play out like this. I am really in awe that this is being fed to us and we are expected to accept it. This whole story makes no sense. You could certainly pick out pieces individually and explain them. The knots, the note, the bindings, the nakedness, the voicemail, the brother, innocent little MS passing, the fact RZ wasn't allowed at the hospital, the fact the phone was "too new" to figure out when the journal was logged, the fact she gagged herself, the fact she had issues with JS children (because we all know how easy teenagers are), the fact she boarded her dog, whatever.
You can pick each piece out and say, sure, that could have happened. But I could also argue each one of those "facts" based on the other facts that were conveniently eliminated.

If you add it ALL up, this equals MURDER. IMO

 

[katydid23]

BBM - If MS was riding his scooter toward the railing, then veered left (for whatever reason) and made contact from the hallway level with a low point on the scooter vertical portion of the handlebars and the dipped down section of the descending railing, I think it might have launched MS and the scooter over the railing and flying toward the chandelier.

MOO

[sorry for the long sentence!]

So let's say he was riding his scooter upstairs, really fast, down that long hallway....is it now safe for me to wonder if Max was being supervised well enough ?

If my 6 yr old flew off the upstairs balcony on his scooter, believe me, I would be angry at the babysitter.

 

[katydid23]

I agree with you! How would he be riding the scooter upstairs on what appears to be pretty plush carpeting? There is no way you can ride a scooter on the carpet, it simply wouldn't go anywhere. I think it was left in the foyer after being used outside, I just can't imagine how it ended up on top of his shin and stayed there until the paramedics arrived if Rebecca was performing CPR. Doesn't make any sense!

Yes, you can ride on flat smooth carpeting like that. We were on a road trip and my kids took their scooters up to the hotel room every night. They rode them down the hallways a few times, until we stopped them of course.

 

[deanna82437]

Thank you for this well thought out post. So well done it deserves a double post. Welcome to the forum !!

Does anyone else find it odd that RZ chose to cut the rope with a kitchen knife? I realize she was allegedly "suicidal" and perhaps stressed etc., acknowledging that, wouldnt it still be WAY easier to cut the rope with scissors? Wouldn't RZ know where scissors were? A house guest may not though. Oh and wait, didnt AS run to the kitchen because it was the quickest thing he could think of to cut her down?

Wasn't the main house locked? How did he get in? Why wouldn't you call 911 before you cut her down? Maybe because common sense says they would have said DONT TOUCH HER?
And he "dragged the table" and that's how the leg broke? That table doesn't appear to weigh more that 20 lbs. Seriously?

I found it disgusting that the presenters at the PC had the gall to say more than once, well, unless someone can prove me wrong" That sounds like a challenge.

A thorough investigation that took six weeks, conveniently ended at the beginning of a three day weekend, and resulted in so little answers is not very thorough at all.

Not talking to HER FAMILY until they were ready to explain the conclusion? What about their life in AZ? It doesn't sould like they interviewed hardly anyone there. They only lived in Coronado in the summer from what I read. What about the rest of the year? The rest of the people?

This story has been handled with white gloves since the start. I have never watched a crime story this closely and then have it play out like this. I am really in awe that this is being fed to us and we are expected to accept it. This whole story makes no sense. You could certainly pick out pieces individually and explain them. The knots, the note, the bindings, the nakedness, the voicemail, the brother, innocent little MS passing, the fact RZ wasn't allowed at the hospital, the fact the phone was "too new" to figure out when the journal was logged, the fact she gagged herself, the fact she had issues with JS children (because we all know how easy teenagers are), the fact she boarded her dog, whatever.
You can pick each piece out and say, sure, that could have happened. But I could also argue each one of those "facts" based on the other facts that were conveniently eliminated.

If you add it ALL up, this equals MURDER. IMO

 

[Peaceful]

So let's say he was riding his scooter upstairs, really fast, down that long hallway....is it now safe for me to wonder if Max was being supervised well enough ?

If my 6 yr old flew off the upstairs balcony on his scooter, believe me, I would be angry at the babysitter.

Should one forego using the restroom the entire time they are "babysitting". That's kinda disrespectful considering she had been a mother figure to these children for almost three years. IMO

 

[Peaceful]

Thank you for this well thought out post. So well done it deserves a double post. Welcome to the forum !!

has

Thank you so much! I appreciate that!

 

[katydid23]

Should one forego using the restroom the entire time they are "babysitting". That's kinda disrespectful considering she had been a mother figure to these children for almost three years. IMO

Maybe his scooter should not have been upstairs at all. And maybe if he had already been warned about riding it upstairs then it should have been kept away from the danger zone. And I do not think I am being disrespectful, I am just asking questions. One of the main questions we have to ask is if she either felt guilty enough to kill herself OR was someone else angry enough to kill her. I am just saying that IF Max flew off the balcony on a scooter that both of the above statements maybe true.

You wouldn't be mad at a caregiver if your 6 yr old rode his scooter off the upstairs balcony? I know I would.

 

[Peaceful]

Maybe his scooter should not have been upstairs at all. And maybe if he had already been warned about riding it upstairs then it should have been kept away from the danger zone. And I do not think I am being disrespectful, I am just asking questions. One of the main questions we have to ask is if she either felt guilty enough to kill herself OR was someone else angry enough to kill her. I am just saying that IF Max flew off the balcony on a scooter that both of the above statements maybe true.

You wouldn't be mad at a caregiver if your 6 yr old rode his scooter off the upstairs balcony? I know I would.

Now that, I can agree with. Of course I would be mad. I suppose my response is due to the fact I don't find it logical that he was riding a scooter on a carpeted surface, which it was per the PC. I feel this story has been built around a lot of use of words to invoke feelings, rather than facts. Referring to her as a "babysitter" invokes feelings of somone who is not in a motherly relationship to a child, as she was. Or was in a role where she should have had her eyes on him every second while his parentes were out at dinner, rather than being in her home with her family. As a stepparent, I would be offended by somone calling me the babysitter. That's MPO.

 

[IWannaKnow]

I still want an explanation for how AS stood on top of a three legged table holding 100 lbs of weight, reached up and sliced through rope at least five feet up the rope, and jumped down off the table with Rebecca without displacing the candle from the table or turning the table over. :dunno: