I began reading this forum at the start of Rebecca's thread. I would like to see the thread names changed to Rebecca Zahau in respect towards her memory.
This is one of the most tragic stories I've come across in my life. I believe that both deaths were tragedies beyond intention. Not all things in life have a direct cause and effect. Unintended consequences arise from our actions all the time.
I think Max was running down the hall with Ocean to his left. As he turned to go down the stairs Ocean continued to run straight and Max tripped over the railing. The scooter was most likely at the foot of the stairs and fell over as Max came tumbling down with the chandelier. Jonah asked that Ocean be boarded up and all the kids were whisked away from Rebecca.
I believe that the message Rebecca painted on the door had to do with Max. She knew she would not be walking out of that room ever again. She painted it with her right hand and also placed her right hand on the door in a moment of contemplation. I don't think it was an accident that she did this in the 'guest' room. I'll get back to that later. She painted the message to strengthen her resolve rather than write something on paper that she could easily throw away.
'She saved him' - I think that she did what she could do after the fall to 'save' Max. The first part of the message was written to Jonah and Dina. They both blamed Rebecca as part of the natural grieving process. This was very hard on her. Not being able to see Max in the hospital was even harder. I think Jonah and Dina made the call to take Max off life-support a decision that Rebecca would have never made due to her religious beliefs.
'Will he save her' - The second part of the message was to Max, to his soul. It has been said many times that she believed she would go to hell if she took her own life. She was asking Max to save her own soul.
The ropes... It's clear to me that Rebecca had experience with ropes. With no disrespect, I think she shared this experience with Jonah in a very intimate way. It's quite possible that she was submissive towards him and they both enjoyed a healthy intimacy this way. This is why she decided to tie herself up the way she did - not to prevent herself from saving herself, or making it seem like a murder - this was a final loving intimate submission to the man she loved. The man that in a fit of rage may have verbally pushed her too far. Who may have told her not to sleep in his bed that night but go to the guest room.
The shirt... I believe that this was Jonah's shirt and that she often slept in it. I think she must have been feeling out of breath and hyperventilating. She wanted to have something of his close to her, but she also felt as if he was choking life from her. She put it in her mouth and bit hard with all the tears, pain, love, fear, and confusion she was experiencing.
Rebecca was a dynamic and romantic young woman. She felt she was an artist. She jumped outside to prove her devotion, love, innocence, and spirit. She did not want to hide from the world. The truth is we are all contradictions and nobody is perfect. This was not about humility or pride. She knew deep inside that her love was greater than the power or importance of this man's public and professional life. Her act was an expression of this love to each of us. In the end Rebecca wanted to say that she had no fear only love - a deeply intimate love. Sadly a love that met the tragedy of a young boy's accidental death and the anger and grief of her lover and his ex-wife.
I know this post is a departure from presenting just the facts. Some might feel that it is charged with emotion. I am writing this as closure for myself. This is what I believe now. If I am wrong and justice needs to be done - I hope all of you continue to find out what really may have happened. I also know that justice is not for men alone to judge. RIP Becky and Maxie.