Fatal Friends, Deadly Neighbors: Ann Rule's Crime Files

[K_Z]

In Chapter 13, there is quite an interesting discussion of the letter written by AB to Julie Garland, the senior supervising attorney general in the CA DOJ. It’s described as an 18 page letter, which addresses the narrow DOJ requirements for reviewing a case. They discussed the conflict of interest between Sheriff Gore’s office and former DA (but current defense attorney at that point in time) Paul Pfingst. They attached a picure of Paul Pfingst INSIDE the crime tape on the day of Rebecca’s death, BEFORE the ME had arrived. Someone had their arm around Paul Pfingst.

From Chapter 13:

“Paul Pfingst used a non-published number to reach the police ,” the legal trio noted, “to tell them not to give his client (Adam) a polygraph. In this recorded call, Pfingst referred to the incident as a ‘homicide.’ “

“We know from experience,” David Fleck wrote, “That homicide detectives do not hobnob with a prime suspect’s defense attorney to be at a [working] crime scene. At a minimum, it creates a disconcerting appearance of impropriety.”

There is also quite a lot of background on the marriage of Rebecca and NN. He definitely was more infatuated with her than she with him. The police were so concerned about his obsession with her that he was briefly considered a potential suspect in her murder, but was clearly ruled out. (AR mentions that there were 6 people of interest in the early days of the investigaton into her death.

In earlier chapters, we learn RZ had a miscarriage while with NN. We also hear about his many job changes, and many moves with RZ. (Youth pastor, security jobs, failed bid to become a LEO, etc. before going to nursing school.) They split up and she went back to him several times. There was a time in their marriage when they both were seeing other people. RZ bought their home, and was making the payments on it.

We learn more detail about the neighbor who heard the screams for help, and unfortunately, didn't do anything once they stopped.

We learn more detail about the computer programmer Dad and his wife and kids who were biking home from the store when they stopped to look at at possum in the road. It was then that the dad saw the woman pacing in front of the mansion that he later identified as Dina. The mom saw her too, according to the book. The dad decided not to call police at the time because she didn't appear to be breaking in. But he looked up Shacknai at home, identified Dina from pics, and THEN went to the police to say what he saw, once news of RZ's death broke. Then they showed him pics to ID-- only pics that included Nina, not Dina. That is VERY interesting, imo.

AR also states several times that the back door to the mansion was habitually left unlocked, which only a very few family members and staff knew about.

 

[bourne]

Have finished reading the Coronado Deaths segment. Found it very well balanced, completely non-accusatory, no sensationalism at all. Just the facts as Ms Rule knew them to be IMO.

I bookmarked many many pages for further comment. Being such a new release (today!), not sure if correct to cite any sections for further discussion. I will leave that to the mods to guide us.. But I think I can safely say there is new info on Adam, quotes from Rebecca's private and personal journal, text to RZ from her sister XZ sent after RZ's death, comments on Paul Pfingst's association and presence AT the crime scene and questions on why was he permitted INSIDE the police tapes, and much much more.

Am anxious to hear other readers' comments!

Just turned on my tablet & synced Kindle

I'm on Chapter One of the section"Two Strange Deaths in Coronado" and am immediately impressed that Ann Rule has chosen to be very precise in her narration -- that Adam Shacknai's account may not be the correct version of events, that Rebecca Zahau may not even have been thrown off the balcony at all.

"There is also the possibility that she rested on the grass and never came off the balcony above her at all. The red rope might have crushed her neck in another kind of strangling. or someone's strong hands could have choked the life out of her. There is even a chance that she was killed someplace else and carried to the place where she was found."

"Only one person said that he saw her as the sun rose; only he came forward to speak about discovering the horror of her death..."

Look forward to hearing other posters' reads on the book

 

[bourne]

In Chapter 13, there is quite an interesting discussion of the letter written by AB to Julie Garland, the senior supervising attorney general in the CA DOJ. It’s described as an 18 page letter, which addresses the narrow DOJ requirements for reviewing a case. They discussed the conflict of interest between Sheriff Gore’s office and former DA (but current defense attorney at that point in time) Paul Pfingst. They attached a picure of Paul Pfingst INSIDE the crime tape on the day of Rebecca’s death, BEFORE the ME had arrived. Someone had their arm around Paul Pfingst.

From Chapter 13:



There is also quite a lot of background on the marriage of Rebecca and NN. He definitely was more infatuated with her than she with him. The police were so concerned about his obsession with her that he was briefly considered a potential suspect in her murder, but was clearly ruled out. (AR mentions that there were 6 people of interest in the early days of the investigaton into her death.

In earlier chapters, we learn RZ had a miscarriage while with NN. We also hear about his many job changes, and many moves with RZ. (Youth pastor, security jobs, failed bid to become a LEO, etc. before going to nursing school.) They split up and she went back to him several times. There was a time in their marriage when they both were seeing other people. RZ bought their home, and was making the payments on it.

We learn more detail about the neighbor who heard the screams for help, and unfortunately, didn't do anything once they stopped.

We learn more detail about the computer programmer Dad and his wife and kids who were biking home from the store when they stopped to look at at possum in the road. It was then that the dad saw the woman pacing in front of the mansion that he later identified as Dina. The mom saw her too, according to the book. The dad decided not to call police at the time because she didn't appear to be breaking in. But he looked up Shacknai at home, identified Dina from pics, and THEN went to the police to say what he saw, once news of RZ's death broke. Then they showed him pics to ID-- only pics that included Nina, not Dina. That is VERY interesting, imo.

AR also states several times that the back door to the mansion was habitually left unlocked, which only a very few family members and staff knew about.

The fact that the police only showed the eyewitness pics of Nina indeed are very telling that the police wanted to trip him up, confuse him, and try to make him misidentify whom he really saw -- Dina -- at the Spreckels mansion. The only reason the police would purposefully only show pics of Nina to an eyewitness is that someone higher up specifically instructed them to plant misinformation so they can close the case without further investigation into Rebecca's murder. Otherwise the police in a fair, impartial investigation, would have shown pics of all the female parties involved in the case, including Dina.

That in itself screams "BIASED INVESTIGATION" right there.

 

[time]

Well, we now know who Pfingst was there for and the dealings sound like a huge conflict of interest to say the least. I hope some heads roll over it and it is a major reason to get the case reopened.

6 people of interest? I could possibly name 5 of them now that we know NN was included - who is the 6th?

Witnesses seeing Dina: computer programmer Dad and his wife and kids. This seems even more credible now

I've always wondered about this (thank you bourne)?

"There is also the possibility that she rested on the grass and never came off the balcony above her at all. The red rope might have crushed her neck in another kind of strangling. or someone's strong hands could have choked the life out of her. There is even a chance that she was killed someplace else and carried to the place where she was found."

 

[time]

What was the deal with Adam and Ambien?

 

[bourne]

Am off to back to back meetings and can only get back here much later in afternoon. Sigh... One thing that jumped out, at least for me, was much about RZ's ex, NN, the investigation into his whereabouts and interviews with him by LE, his relationship with RZ after their separation, and a comment by JS regarding him. Nothing accusatory, just an observation on his part. Sorry to keep you hanging.. Gotta run

I find that strange that the police would investigate RZ's ex, NN, based on tenuous info put forth by Jonah Shacknai.

If that doesn't suggest Jonah's influence and hands in LE's pockets, I don't know what does.

 

[K_Z]

I must admit that "Adam and the Ambien" has really piqued my interest, along with the increased detail in the 2 ear/ eyewitness reports. The Paul Pfingst early involvement is pretty interesting, with him now conclusively linked to Adam. (And almost certainly contacted by Jonah on his behalf.)

I also thought Ann Rule was very kind to Dina, while still discussing Dina's hatred of RZ, and her tumultuous domestic violence with Jonah.

More details on RZ's private diaries, and entries about the difficulties she experienced with Jonah's teen daughter.

AR's interpretation, after interviewing several close friends of Jonah, was that Jonah was genuinely fond of RZ. He enjoyed the peace and contentment of her company compared to the turmoil of his marriages with his 2 ex wives. Ann Rule writes nothing that indicates Jonah was about to dump or leave Rebecca.

Dina's experts and their reports are only fleetingly mentioned. AR believes there is no evidence to support Dina's theories, which she did not elaborate on. Bove and Melinek are not mentioned by name. She briefly mentions Dina devoting her life to her new nonprofit, but doesn't name it or elaborate on the basis for the foundation. Jonah's NP for Max is not mentioned.

AR doesn't speculate about civil suits.

She has a few minor errors in the chapters, but nothing substantial. She twice refers to RZ as a nurse, then later a surgical assistant.

She uses pseudonyms for NN and the minors.

 

[time]

I must admit that "Adam and the Ambien" has really piqued my interest, along with the increased detail in the 2 ear/ eyewitness reports. The Paul Pfingst early involvement is pretty interesting, with him now conclusively linked to Adam. (And almost certainly contacted by Jonah on his behalf.)

I also thought Ann Rule was very kind to Dina, while still discussing Dina's hatred of RZ, and her tumultuous domestic violence with Jonah.

More details on RZ's private diaries, and entries about the difficulties she experienced with Jonah's teen daughter.

AR's interpretation, after interviewing several close friends of Jonah, was that Jonah was genuinely fond of RZ. He enjoyed the peace and contentment of her company compared to the turmoil of his marriages with his 2 ex wives. Ann Rule writes nothing that indicates Jonah was about to dump or leave Rebecca.

Dina's experts and their reports are only fleetingly mentioned. AR believes there is no evidence to support Dina's theories, which she did not elaborate on. Bove and Melinek are not mentioned by name. She briefly mentions Dina devoting her life to her new nonprofit, but doesn't name it or elaborate on the basis for the foundation. Jonah's NP for Max is not mentioned.

AR doesn't speculate about civil suits.

She has a few minor errors in the chapters, but nothing substantial. She twice refers to RZ as a nurse, then later a surgical assistant.

She uses pseudonyms for NN and the minors.

BBM - interesting to hear as it is what I had thought. I still don't think Jonah thought Max's death was anything but an accident. But that's just speculation. I don't like the influence Jonah had nor the Pfingst involvement, but I'm still wondering if Adam was set-up and Jonah jumped in to save him.

 

[K_Z]

I find that strange that the police would investigate RZ's ex, NN, based on tenuous info put forth by Jonah Shacknai, and yet, Jonah, Adam, Dina and Nina were not placed on the most obvious suspects' list, given their greater motive, opportunity, and means.

If that doesn't suggest Jonah's influence and hands in LE's pockets, I don't know what does.

"The investigators told Solanev straight out that he was on the "suspect board" of six people. They had already cleared other possible suspects, and they reminded him that he had had an eight-hour "window to commit murder" between his classes at Scottsdale Community College and the time he was seen in the gym the next morning. It was possible for him to have caught a flight, confronted Becky, strangled her, and managed to be back in Scottsdale by early the next morning. But not likely."

(BBM)

She goes on to explain how it was very unlikely-- flight delays, etc.

*Solanev is a psuedonym for NN.

I wonder who the 6th suspect was? I count only 5.

 

[time]

"The investigators told Solanev straight out that he was on the "suspect board" of six people. They had already cleared other possible suspects, and they reminded him that he had had an eight-hour "window to commit murder" between his classes at Scottsdale Community College and the time he was seen in the gym the next morning. It was possible for him to have caught a flight, confronted Becky, strangled her, and managed to be back in Scottsdale by early the next morning. But not likely."

(BBM)

She goes on to explain how it was very unlikely-- flight delays, etc.

*Solanev is a psuedonym for NN.

I wonder who the 6th suspect was? I count only 5.

Yeah, I can't see why NN would take the opportunity in that short window. He could have been a temporary suspect because of all the divorce and name changing stuff becoming final and because it sounds like he was sort of codependent on Rebecca and wouldn't let go.

I wonder if the 6th suspect was the doctor friend? Dina's boyfriend? Nina's son? A teenager? I can't think of anyone else.

 

[K_Z]

What was the deal with Adam and Ambien?

Apparently, Adam took Ambien the night RZ died. He claims to have been out of bed only once, to use the bathroom, before morning. He awakened, watched a little iphone , took a shower, and was headed to ask RZ to go to breakfast with him. (According to chapter 1 or so.)

I also wonder about the effects of Ambien on polygraph testing, and if Adam was a habitual user of Ambien.

The "bedside manner" blurted out comment at LE was very odd, even for someone who just found a person hanging.

Does Adam have any behavioral issues? It just seems so odd to me that he is blurting out strange comments on the 911 call ("are you dead"), the way he phrased his comments ("I got a girl, hung herself") and the bedside manner comment to LE, and is so completely unembarrassed/ flat affect about discussing the iphone viewing. Could he have a mild behavioral condition? (Like Aspergers?) His social interactions by report, are odd.

And Dina was pretty clearly seen at the mansion by no one who would have any reason to make that up, then unaccounted for on the SAME Rady videotapes that clearly captured Jonah just a short time later. (And Jonah was on the RMD house video overnight.)

And Jonah getting a TEXT from Adam, almost confirming her death, rather than informing. Then Jonah abruptly calls Paul Pfingst.....

Hmmmm. My speculator is itchy.

 

[*Lash*]

What was the deal with Adam and Ambien?

Hi Time!

Adam told detectives when he got to the guesthouse he called his girlfriend, drank a diet 7up. He took an Ambien sleeping pill and went to bed.

In my opinion, the Ambien could be significant in regards to why Adam didn't hear the screams that night.

 

[time]

Apparently, Adam took Ambien the night RZ died. He claims to have been out of bed only once, to use the bathroom, before morning. He awakened, watched a little iphone , took a shower, and was headed to ask RZ to go to breakfast with him. (According to chapter 1 or so.)

I also wonder about the effects of Ambien on polygraph testing, and if Adam was a habitual user of Ambien.

The "bedside manner" blurted out comment at LE was very odd, even for someone who just found a person hanging.

Does Adam have any behavioral issues? It just seems so odd to me that he is blurting out strange comments on the 911 call ("are you dead"), the way he phrased his comments ("I got a girl, hung herself") and the bedside manner comment to LE, and is so completely unembarrassed/ flat affect about discussing the iphone viewing. Could he have a mild behavioral condition? (Like Aspergers?) His social interactions by report, are odd.

And Dina was pretty clearly seen at the mansion by no one who would have any reason to make that up, then unaccounted for on the SAME Rady videotapes that clearly captured Jonah just a short time later. (And Jonah was on the RMD house video overnight.)

And Jonah getting a TEXT from Adam, almost confirming her death, rather than informing. Then Jonah abruptly calls Paul Pfingst.....

Hmmmm. My speculator is itchy.

I have to wonder if Adam didn't have some kind of underlying social deficit - whether that is environmental or psychological or both. It could be he's made any problem worse by choosing a certain lifestyle also. He seems to me like someone who functioned in a pretty narrow social range for a while - where a certain attitude and saying inappropriate things is acceptable. Some people with ADHD, Aspergers, or general hyperactivity say whatever, no filtering and can appear insensitive or are. Or lack of boundaries. Still wondering if that text to Jonah was the first message to Jonah? Although it may just be how Adam would interact and in his mind he determined Rebecca hung herself right off the bat. I'm speculating Jonah knew Adam might say odd stuff or represent himself poorly to LE, so he jumped on getting an attorney in there. Maybe Jonah did a disservice to Rebecca because of this.

 

[*Lash*]

Adam said he hadn't heard anything that night, but noted how VERY quiet it was that night.

He also said when he first opened the door he thought it was a prank and that some kids were "messing around".

 

[Inparadise]

Hi Time!

Adam told detectives when he got to the guesthouse he called his girlfriend, drank a diet 7up. He took an Ambien sleeping pill and went to bed.

In my opinion, the Ambien could be significant in regards to why Adam didn't hear the screams that night.

People who take Ambien sometimes do things while under it's influence that they don't remember afterwards.........Supposedly, Adam offered Rebecca Ambien several times that evening.

 

[*Lash*]

Paul Pfingst was advising Adam. My suspicion is confirmed. Pfingst via phone communication was advising Adam not take the polygraph test at this point in the investigation. It doesn't appear he spoke with Adam directly, but advised him through someone at the sheriff's office. Pfingst was the attorney texting Adam before his polygraph.

 

[time]

I think it's odd, or telling, that they seemed to capture Jonah many times on video at both places and none of Dina... and, yeah, a very credible eye witness (actually more than one that can verify they were there, why they stopped there, and what time it was - and who had no reason to lie).

 

[time]

<snip>
And Dina was pretty clearly seen at the mansion by no one who would have any reason to make that up, then unaccounted for on the SAME Rady videotapes that clearly captured Jonah just a short time later. (And Jonah was on the RMD house video overnight.)

And Jonah getting a TEXT from Adam, almost confirming her death, rather than informing. Then Jonah abruptly calls Paul Pfingst.....

Hmmmm. My speculator is itchy.

This is why I wonder if Adam called Jonah or someone else earlier and then called 911, and then texted Jonah. But, I don't know. I can also see that with Ambien and some other particulars about Adam, that he may have reacted in a strange manner on his own and possibly did just wake up and find her.

I wonder if they interviewed Adam's girlfriend?

I guess what also sticks out is that it appears Adam didn't have any problem himself with submitting to a polygraph. Is that normal for guilty people - except for those who think they can pass one and lie.

 

[MyBelle]

The fact that the police only showed the eyewitness pics of Nina indeed are very telling that the police wanted to trip him up, confuse him, and try to make him misidentify whom he really saw -- Dina -- at the Spreckels mansion. The only reason the police would purposefully only show pics of Nina to an eyewitness is that someone higher up specifically instructed them to plant misinformation so they can close the case without further investigation into Rebecca's murder. Otherwise the police in a fair, impartial investigation, would have shown pics of all the female parties involved in the case, including Dina.

That in itself screams "BIASED INVESTIGATION" right there.

To me, it screams "Biased witness" because he apparently familiarized himself with Dina's photo PRIOR to going to police. I think most prosecutors would consider his account to be flawed and wouldn't use it, either.

JMO

 

[time]

To me, it screams "Biased witness" because he apparently familiarized himself with Dina's photo PRIOR to going to police. I think most prosecutors would consider his account to be flawed and wouldn't use it, either.

JMO

So, you think they really saw Nina instead? That doesn't exactly let Nina or Dina off the hook. Dina has NO ALIBI anyway!!!!

I don't see it as biased that they looked at a picture or pictures to see if it could be the same person they saw. I find it telling that they still did not think it was Nina. I do not believe seeing a picture of Dina would change their fairly detailed account of what the woman looked like and what she was wearing. Something is definitely off here and I'd say either both of them were at the house, or Nina is lying about it being her. Actually, I'll go for the former - they were both at the house. It's highly suspicious that Nina was even at the house late at night just hours before Rebecca was murdered in the first place. Oh, and let's not forget a convenient reason why her fingerprints might be on Rebecca's phone. And, a possible erased message on that phone.