CA - Rebecca Nalepa - suicide or murder? #9

[sdcali]

Yeah, you could definitely do that. I was trying to figure out if it could have been deleted in a way that LE wouldn't easily see how. If it was deleted remotely by calling in would that look different than if it was deleted with her own phone. I guess there is no sense in wondering since we won't be privy to the forensics and how it was investigated - what they did or didn't do. I would like to know what was in that one journal entry, if it sounded like Rebecca, if the family got to read it, and if it's valid that there was no date they could figure out.

Wonder if they fingerprinted her phone? Was it a touch screen? Were the prints lifted from all of the items they did fingerprint, full prints or partial? Were they from the hand that was RN's dominant hand?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[scorekeeper]

"I asked them about a psychological autopsy and the detectives said they thought about it, but decided not to do it," Anne Bremner told FOX 5 News Sunday.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Steven Ornish said a forensic or psychological autopsy is standard practice when there is controversy regarding the manner of death in a case.
"A physical autopsy will tell you what the cause of death is, but a psychological autopsy will tell you in more detail whether it was a suicide, what the person's frame of mind was and what they were thinking at the time," said Dr. Ornish. "It really helps to better understand the frame of mind of someone and by better understanding that, one can better understand the cause of death."

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-zahau-forensic-autopsy,0,6597511.story

I thought LE said they were doing a psychological autopsy. Did they consider her conversation with someone six months ago, while finalizing her divorce, the psych autopsy??????

 

[elementry]

The lawyer says the family are getting all kind of offers from experts wanting to investigate this further. So hopefully family can get to the bottom of it all.

Just don't count on the San Diego spoon-fed media to pick up the slack. They've done virtually Zero investigative reporting. RN and JS were members of that community, yet besides the early quote from the fitness center employee and the one disgruntled neighbor, (and the kennel guy) there has been no real life background supplied on their doings in Coronado. Media sat on their hands for 6 weeks. What, were these two invisible?

 

[cluciano63]

Who was the man (military) who was listed as a "suicide" in one of the most bizarre cases I have ever heard of, he was found in his crashed car? His wife fought for years and eventually had the determination changed to "undetermined" for manner of death, I believe. But even though there is reason to believe that his ex-wife caused his death, there was never any way to prove it...no charges ever brought. Does anyone recall the name of the victim, and this case?

Anyway, I think the most that R's family can hope for is that her death be listed as "undetermined" rather than suicide. And then if foul play did occur, of course, for evidence to be revealed pointing to a suspect. It would be much easier to follow through with any kind of a case if "suicide" were to be removed from the records.

 

[elementry]

Because her motive was twofold. She felt terrible about the accident, and probably felt some guilt. She was in the shower while he was falling from the upstairs balcony. that has to be devastating.

But then in her grief and sorrow, she is told that the child's mother has banned her from visiting the hospital. So apparently her bf did not stick up for her, but is taking his ex wifes side. And he may have even called and broken up with her on the phone that night. We do not know,but LE said there was an erased call. IMO, if it had been a loving call of concern, it would not have been erased.

Bad things seemed to happen when she took showers........

 

[branwynbreeze]

Does anyone know what DS boyfriend does for a living?

 

[elementry]

Her actions disgust me. I don't like lawyers who try to profit from and exploit tragedies in the media. Especially when deaths of children are part of the equation. JMO.

So you wouldn't mind another lawyer representing the Zahau's. It's just this lady that rubs you the wrong way?

 

[elementry]

Actually most of us have been trying to figure out who the teenager in the house was from the start. There was that interview with GS's friend that claimed GS was in Coronado but left before paramedics arrived. So it's not a sudden addition. What I haven't realized until now that there possibly was more than one teenager staying at the house.

When couples are cohabitating, there's often the attempt to get the two families to spend time together and see how it goes. In this case the kids of similar ages. Sometimes it doesn't go so well.......

 

[elementry]

http://www.examiner.com/news-analys...death-of-rebecca-zahau-picture#slide=37073066

look at the picture of the door......

why is there orange rope in that picture??????? It looks like it is tied to the knob on the inside of the door........

LE must have overlooked that.........:maddening:

 

[jjenny]

LE must have overlooked that.........:maddening:

It's a bad angle. The rope isn't tied to the door, it is going past the door.

 

[elementry]

BBM
If you look at the picture of the balcony posted above, I think there are a few ways she could have hit the top of her head when she went over the balcony. She could have swung backwards and hit the metal braces. They would have been right on top of her head. Or she might have hit the top of her head on the bottom of the balcony if she was swinging and struggling at first. Even Dr Wecht admitted that it was still possible it was a suicide.

So therefore wouldn't it be incumbent upon LE to examine and note whether there was some evidentiary imprint on the balcony rails or braces. Of course, they didn't even see fit to note in their presentation the internal bleeding on RN's head, so why would would they bother noting related markings on the rail, or even the search for same?

 

[sdcali]

Who was the man (military) who was listed as a "suicide" in one of the most bizarre cases I have ever heard of, he was found in his crashed car? His wife fought for years and eventually had the determination changed to "undetermined" for manner of death, I believe. But even though there is reason to believe that his ex-wife caused his death, there was never any way to prove it...no charges ever brought. Does anyone recall the name of the victim, and this case?

I just watched that story yesterday. Colonel Shue (airforce). I don't recall his first name. I immediately thought of this case too, in regards to the change in determination of death from suicide to homicide.

Ex wife pled the 5th on 20 different questions and got $1mil in life insurance benefits.

 

[jjenny]

I know of plenty of cases police/ME declared an accidental death but which were later reclassified as murders. Sometimes police like to go by the way of least resistance. In accidental death or a suicide there is no need to look for a suspect. This case I think is particularly outrageous: how does one confuse a lady beat up with a monkey wrench for a victim of a slip and fall?

"His reputation suffered a serious blow last year after federal agents determined his office erred in the 2009 autopsy of 87-year-old Bernice Novack, widow of Fontainebleau Hotel owner Ben Novack Sr. Perper ruled it a slip-and-fall accident; further investigation revealed she was beaten over the head with a monkey wrench."

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/...cal-examiner-who-autopsied.html#ixzz1X6QLF0T0

 

[time]

"I asked them about a psychological autopsy and the detectives said they thought about it, but decided not to do it," Anne Bremner told FOX 5 News Sunday.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Steven Ornish said a forensic or psychological autopsy is standard practice when there is controversy regarding the manner of death in a case.
"A physical autopsy will tell you what the cause of death is, but a psychological autopsy will tell you in more detail whether it was a suicide, what the person's frame of mind was and what they were thinking at the time," said Dr. Ornish. "It really helps to better understand the frame of mind of someone and by better understanding that, one can better understand the cause of death."

http://www.fox5sandiego.com/news/kswb-zahau-forensic-autopsy,0,6597511.story

I thought LE said they were doing a psychological autopsy. Did they consider her conversation with someone six months ago, while finalizing her divorce, the psych autopsy??????

Thanks! Interesting that it seems standard... you'd think doubly so in this case if there ever was a case you'd conduct one on this one! They truly slighted Rebecca and her family by just suggesting this as evidence she committed suicide:

* a message containing contents that no one can verify but JS, if he were really angry also or if other things were said, would he even say so? Would he say so if someone else were using his phone? Can they verify how long the message was because it would be easy to call and say almost nothing then make a claim later. Did they check her cell phone for spyware or an online account for her mobile (asking because you could monitor a number of things including who you called, who called in, listening to messages, location, listen to conversations, etc.)?

* some 'friend' with some vague account dating back to January 2011. Did they ask friends and family to validate any of this, how can they justify that timeframe without further corroboration of some other events - was that corroborated by the kids or any of the kids parents (?) and is it unusual since almost all mixed families have problems as do just parents with teenagers. What exactly was the nature of the problems? How close of a relationship did this 'friend' even have with Rebecca and had she/he stayed in touch. Why did LE think what her family, close friends, and ex had to say was not important or think they wouldn't know what was going on with her if there were significant problems. I think it is arrogant to disregard that even to the point of not contacting them much at all.

* some unknown journal entry on her phone with some unknown date. I think the date is critical or they could have tried to establish a date by what was being said. So what anyway, is it really any proof she would commit suicide!

* info from the dog guy (who seems to be disagreeing publicly now), Jonah, others(s) that she was that distraught.

With all they disregarded why are they claiming this is so important it establishes the motive for suicide? It goes along with the other inconsistencies of what they did or didn't do and what they considered important and not important. Those things in themselves sort of scream bad investigation.

I read others comments about their claim that 'science' would tell the truth or something like that and agree.... science in itself does not tell the truth, it can be biased in many ways by humans just like facts are only facts, once they are woven into a story it is not a 'fact' any more nor just science, it's a theory. That theory either has great explanatory power or it doesn't. Leaving out bits and pieces that you can't exlain or disregarding theories that do as good or better of a job explaining is NOT cool and it's NOT good science.

In my opinion, the simplest theory here that does fit the facts is that Rebecca was murdered, someone was good at not leaving forensic clues that personally identified themselves and could have easily forced her into doing some of it herself. I don't even have to think it was meant to look like a suicide, so far, I don't think it does. I think some of the forensics leave a lot of room for different interpretations and we were not given enough facts to check out some of their propositions.

 

[justice be served]

I don't want to get clubbed on her for what I'm going to say, but it has nothing to do with Rebecca. It's something I feel should be looked into when looking at this as a homicide.

I think the way Rebecca was tied and with being naked and now with something stuffed in her mouth has a lot of aspects in common with sexual bondage/BDSM and/or Shibari. I'm not sure anyone one wants to check this out cause sometimes the images are disturbing. But is is very typical in bondage/domination scenarios for the person to be bound hands and feet naked and be gagged. I still can't tell if she was hogtied or partially, someone mentioned she was again today or yesterday. But, if she was, this convinces me even more that t his should be looked into.

I hope I haven't offended anyone. I am not saying this was a sexual crime in that she was raped. I'm just saying the scenario sure looks like it is bondage to me. I hadn't though about this much until I say the more elaborate ropes on her wrists, wrapped around so many times and hearing them say her ankles were the same. And, with a rope end that can be pulled to tighten (I think that is what was said).

Time, one of my first posts theorized there was a bondage element to either the suicide or murder of Rebecca. And now that we see the complexity of the bindings via video in the law enforcement report - I feel even more strongly that someone knew way more about this sort of thing than the average bear. I didn't have the heart to research how the actual bindings may relate to the Shibari or S&M methodology though. I just know that the simplicity of what LE was intending to show in her bindings seemed to be anything but simple.

 

[elementry]

I was the one who mentioned it. It is in the bedroom pic that LE released. A wicker chair is seen tipped over on its side in the photo. Yet they said the scene showed no sign of disturbance (or some language like that). My reaction is: REALLY? A chair turned over is normal? hmmm?

As I noted earlier, conspicuously absent from evidentiary marking, the chair and the blanket:

http://www.sdsheriff.net/coronado/images/rz-nebr.jpg

 

[justice be served]

Thanks! Interesting that it seems standard... you'd think doubly so in this case if there ever was a case you'd conduct one on this one! They truly slighted Rebecca and her family by just suggesting this as evidence she committed suicide:

* a message containing contents that no one can verify but JS, if he were really angry also or if other things were said, would he even say so? Would he say so if someone else were using his phone? Can they verify how long the message was because it would be easy to call and say almost nothing then make a claim later. Did they check her cell phone for spyware or an online account for her mobile (asking because you could monitor a number of things including who you called, who called in, listening to messages, location, listen to conversations, etc.)?

* some 'friend' with some vague account dating back to January 2011. Did they ask friends and family to validate any of this, how can they justify that timeframe without further corroboration of some other events - was that corroborated by the kids or any of the kids parents (?) and is it unusual since almost all mixed families have problems as do just parents with teenagers. What exactly was the nature of the problems? How close of a relationship did this 'friend' even have with Rebecca and had she/he stayed in touch. Why did LE think what her family, close friends, and ex had to say was not important or think they wouldn't know what was going on with her if there were significant problems. I think it is arrogant to disregard that even to the point of not contacting them much at all.

* some unknown journal entry on her phone with some unknown date. I think the date is critical or they could have tried to establish a date by what was being said. So what anyway, is it really any proof she would commit suicide!

With all they disregarded why are they claiming this is so important it establishes the motive for suicide? It goes along with the other inconsistencies of what they did or didn't do and what they considered important and not important. Those things in themselves sort of scream bad investigation.

I read others comments about their claim that 'science' would tell the truth or something like that and agree.... science in itself does not tell the truth, it can be biased in many ways by humans just like facts are only facts, once they are woven into a story it is not a 'fact' any more nor just science, it's a theory. That theory either has great explanatory power or it doesn't. Leaving out bits and pieces that you can't exlain or disregarding theories that do as good or better of a job explaining is NOT cool and it's NOT good science.

In my opinion, the simplest theory here that does fit the facts is that Rebecca was murdered, someone was good at not leaving forensic clues that personally identified themselves and could have easily forced her into doing some of it herself. I don't even have to think it was meant to look like a suicide, so far, I don't think it does. I think some of the forensics leave a lot of room for different interpretations and we were not given enough facts to check out some of their propositions.

WOW! What a fantastic analysis. This is my double thanks!

 

[time]

I just watched that story yesterday. Colonel Shue (airforce). I don't recall his first name. I immediately thought of this case too, in regards to the change in determination of death from suicide to homicide.

Ex wife pled the 5th on 20 different questions and got $1mil in life insurance benefits.

She actually posts on here, on the thread for him. I believe there are good reasons shed pled the 5th as I read through a lot of this a while back. But you'd have to read it yourself if you haven't yet.

 

[elementry]

Good work! We know from the plan drawings that had to do with the architectural proposed changes, that the height from the ground to the floor of the balcony is 11'0". We can estimate that the height of the garden table is about 29". I don't know if those are things you have already figured out.

I thought the balcony plans were for the oceanside of the mansion......could be wrong.

 

[justice be served]

I think LE and ME believe they have a logical explanation for their ruling and that their decision is justified. I have no reason not to accept their decisions. Maybe they didn't share everything but I think that has more to do with respect for the families rather than a cover-up or corruption funded by JS.

BBM
From the fact Rebecca's family was told one day before the ruling their facts, then I think LE has shown anything but respect for Rebecca's family. It doesn't even sound like they were consulted on her frame of mind! However, now LE can make things right with her family and open her case back up and at least rule it undetermined. That would be real respect then for BOTH families.