What happened to Rebecca Zahau?

[justice be served]

This article probably says it all IMO:

"One fireman who works in Coronado whom we interviewed under conditions of anonymity, thought that the finding of suicide was based on "a balance between efficiency and effectiveness", claiming that the City of Coronado's police department was highly efficient, but not as effective in responding to high profile suspicious death incidents.


He also told us that Coronado wanted to protect its revenue sources that were highly dependent on tourism, that the County Sheriff's office saw this as a "political hot potato", and that both departments, because of political and other concerns, wanted the case closed and forgotten."

http://www.examiner.com/article/jonah-shacknai-doubted-rebecca-zahau-committed-suicide

Not right. Politics doesn't trump a human life. And, boy, it's not forgotten by many.

 

[FightTheOstrich]

This article probably says it all IMO:

"One fireman who works in Coronado whom we interviewed under conditions of anonymity, thought that the finding of suicide was based on "a balance between efficiency and effectiveness", claiming that the City of Coronado's police department was highly efficient, but not as effective in responding to high profile suspicious death incidents.


He also told us that Coronado wanted to protect its revenue sources that were highly dependent on tourism, that the County Sheriff's office saw this as a "political hot potato", and that both departments, because of political and other concerns, wanted the case closed and forgotten."

http://www.examiner.com/article/jonah-shacknai-doubted-rebecca-zahau-committed-suicide

Not right. Politics doesn't trump a human life. And, boy, it's not forgotten by many.

I have always wondered if the scene was setup to make it look like JS murdered RZ and that is why it was ruled a suicide. That perhaps they knew JS did not murder her but couldn't prove someone else had so they took the easy way out. Which of course saved them from an extensive and costly investigation. Coronado still looks like a sleepy town with a suicide on the books vs. murder. Case closed, anyone up for a round of golf?

 

[CuriousGeorgia]

This article probably says it all IMO:

"One fireman who works in Coronado whom we interviewed under conditions of anonymity, thought that the finding of suicide was based on "a balance between efficiency and effectiveness", claiming that the City of Coronado's police department was highly efficient, but not as effective in responding to high profile suspicious death incidents.


He also told us that Coronado wanted to protect its revenue sources that were highly dependent on tourism, that the County Sheriff's office saw this as a "political hot potato", and that both departments, because of political and other concerns, wanted the case closed and forgotten."

http://www.examiner.com/article/jonah-shacknai-doubted-rebecca-zahau-committed-suicide

Not right. Politics doesn't trump a human life. And, boy, it's not forgotten by many.

My guess this Fireman didn't really know what he was talking about...the investigation was done by SDSO - not the Coronado PD or the County Sheriff's office.

 

[justice be served]

My guess this Fireman didn't really know what he was talking about...the investigation was done by SDSO - not the Coronado PD or the County Sheriff's office.

SDSO is the San Diego Sheriff Office if I'm not mistaken.

 

[justice be served]

My guess this Fireman didn't really know what he was talking about...the investigation was done by SDSO - not the Coronado PD or the County Sheriff's office.

Frankly I'm not sure SDSO knows what theyre talking about. Same difference.

 

[CuriousGeorgia]

Frankly I'm not sure SDSO knows what theyre talking about. Same difference.

But a Fireman that was "interviewed under conditions of anonymity" does?

 

[FightTheOstrich]

But a Fireman that was "interviewed under conditions of anonymity" does?

It's been my experience, that where there's smoke there is fire. Pardon the pun.

 

[screecher]

Oh I don't really buy the idea that they really favored her. We have heard from RZ's sister that they were not respectful towards RZ. DS has claimed they would still come over to her house to see Max after the divorce but I am willing to bet that she was after information and probably only stirred up trouble. I don't think they actually had a lasting strong bond, more a relationship of convenience. I just think DS was better at making the other 2 children believe she was cool and cared.

Dina Romano also had a drawer full of candy. Yummy.

 

[time]

I have always wondered if the scene was setup to make it look like JS murdered RZ and that is why it was ruled a suicide. That perhaps they knew JS did not murder her but couldn't prove someone else had so they took the easy way out. Which of course saved them from an extensive and costly investigation. Coronado still looks like a sleepy town with a suicide on the books vs. murder. Case closed, anyone up for a round of golf?

Good theory! I don't know if it looked like Jonah did it, but I believe fairly early on they decided to go with suicide simply because they couldn't convict anyone easily based on the evidence they had. I do believe money plays a role in these kinds of cases because the more money a defendant has the more difficult a case is to prosecute unless you absolutely have a smoking gun. There was no on to try for her murder that wouldn't have money backing their defense.

At the least they should have ruled this as a suspicious death/undetermined - even though I think it plainly screams murder. They knew darn well there wasn't going to be another murder, but having a bizarre unsolved murder on t he books means people will be scared, property values could be effected, but most importantly that there would always be pressure to solve it. SDSO probably thought this would go away, they may still think it will go away - but they have underestimated the percentage of people who aren't buying into the suicide theory.

 

[iSleuth]

Could also be that DR met the children when they were much younger and much more accepting of new people in their father's life.

Salem

I have been thinking about this a lot!

Maybe someone was extra jealous because being a step mom wasn't easy for her- ( didn't get easier when she had her own child) and maybe the steps who had given her a hard time previously were all more respectful to RZ than they had been with her. Maybe that's why she had a "candy Drawer" I mean - a candy drawer sounds like a little popularity ploy. oooh you love coming here because we have a candy drawer. ( I should try that) And now maybe everyone was being more compliant and respectful ( older) even MS was learning to take better care and eat better???

Maybe RZ was restricting the sugar because MS was a little hyper and was known to swing from the chandeliers ;-( when he had a lot of candy. How much candy had they smuggled in?

Speaking of ploys-and the theory that- maybe the "death" of RZ was made to look like AS did it.
A vengeful ex - in law would know very well what freaky things a brother in law would be into ( it was on the computers). Maybe someone ( maybe two people) went to the home rang the bell and then went around the back to divert AS while staging the murder. Leaving it for AS to discover as everyone knows fully well- the last person to have seen a victim- or the person who discovers a victim- is immediately considered a POI?

:banghead:

 

[MyBelle]

Could also be that DR met the children when they were much younger and much more accepting of new people in their father's life.

Salem

She was also the mom of their little brother. The relationship was one of family.

JMO

 

[Salem]

Posting in every thread.

Okay Everybody - this has been said a hundred times, I'm sure. But I'm giving it one more shot and then I'm just going to issue TOs to EVERYBODY.

Dina is a victim of Max's death. As his mother, she has every right to want his death re-investigated. DO NOT BASH HER. You may talk about her media presence but you cannot keep accusing her of nefarious activity or thoughts - even if it is your opinion. She doesn't warrant that and neither LE or MSM have given any reason to indicate she is suspect in the death of RZ. So... you can talk about her actions, her media presence, and the timeline, but stop the bashing.

RZ is a victim here also. DO NOT BASH HER. You may talk about MSM, LE and timeline information but you cannot keep accusing her of nefarious activity or thoughts - even if it is your opinion. She doesn't warrant that and neither LE or MSM have given any reason to indicate she is suspect in the death of Max.

Both women are victims. Like it or not, that is the way it is and you are expected to post accordingly. If you fail to do so, you will lose posting privileges for a period of time.

Salem

 

[iSleuth]

Posting in every thread.

Sorry

ython:

I definitely agree I am really glad that she is reopening the case.
God Bless Max and his Family.

I am sure her heart is broken and they all miss him terribly - as RZ's loved ones also miss her.

I am really sorry if I overstepped and or went overboard in my reaction to her quotes in the Article " A Boy Interrupted"

 

[screecher]

Sorry

ython:

I definitely agree I am really glad that she is reopening the case.
God Bless Max and his Family.

I am sure her heart is broken and they all miss him terribly - as RZ's loved ones also miss her.

I am really sorry if I overstepped and or went overboard in my reaction to her quotes in the Article " A Boy Interrupted"

Huh? She (being who?) is reopening what case?

 

[justice be served]

This case ruled suicide two years ago is now reopening by cold case investigators. There are definitely parallels to Rebecca's case (including 15!! investigators). It give me hope.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ide-Florida-hotel-mother-thinks-murdered.html

mods, please delete if already posted

 

[CuriousGeorgia]

One parallel there is not...her boyfriend and his ex-wife were not more concerned with their little 6-year old boy, who was lying in the ICU for less than 48 hours. The Shacknais were too preoccupied with grief over Max to plan a ridiculous murder. Sorry, no one would ever plan a murder like this. IMO, it is pretty clear that Rebecca Zahau hung herself.

I do understand that suicide is a very hard thing for families to face. Even with there is a clear suicide note, sometimes people just can't accept it. I hope that the mother of this woman finds peace, and so do the Zahaus.

 

[justice be served]

One parallel there is not...her boyfriend and his ex-wife were not more concerned with their little 6-year old boy, who was lying in the ICU for less than 48 hours. The Shacknais were too preoccupied with grief over Max to plan a ridiculous murder. Sorry, no one would ever plan a murder like this. IMO, it is pretty clear that Rebecca Zahau hung herself.

I do understand that suicide is a very hard thing for families to face. Even with there is a clear suicide note, sometimes people just can't accept it. I hope that the mother of this woman finds peace, and so do the Zahaus.

Well one thing on this forum is we have a pretty good timeline that doesn't speak to that IMO.

 

[bourne]

This article probably says it all IMO:

"One fireman who works in Coronado whom we interviewed under conditions of anonymity, thought that the finding of suicide was based on "a balance between efficiency and effectiveness", claiming that the City of Coronado's police department was highly efficient, but not as effective in responding to high profile suspicious death incidents.


He also told us that Coronado wanted to protect its revenue sources that were highly dependent on tourism, that the County Sheriff's office saw this as a "political hot potato", and that both departments, because of political and other concerns, wanted the case closed and forgotten."

http://www.examiner.com/article/jonah-shacknai-doubted-rebecca-zahau-committed-suicide

Not right. Politics doesn't trump a human life. And, boy, it's not forgotten by many.

Thanks so much for this article. I've not read the interview of the fireman in Coronado who doubts the suicide ruling. I agree with him that politics played a key role, along with a need for expediency and cost-efficiency, and that someone had deep pockets and influence.

 

[FightTheOstrich]

One parallel there is not...her boyfriend and his ex-wife were not more concerned with their little 6-year old boy, who was lying in the ICU for less than 48 hours. The Shacknais were too preoccupied with grief over Max to plan a ridiculous murder. Sorry, no one would ever plan a murder like this. IMO, it is pretty clear that Rebecca Zahau hung herself.

I do understand that suicide is a very hard thing for families to face. Even with there is a clear suicide note, sometimes people just can't accept it. I hope that the mother of this woman finds peace, and so do the Zahaus.

I don't know, DS left the hospital on the 12th and went home and rested for approx. 12 hours. I have been around parents in similar circumstances. It's typical for a parent to catch a couple hours of sleep but leaving the hospital for 12 hours is atypical. Then again so are both of these cases.
IMO

 

[CuriousGeorgia]

I am sure Dina was exhausted by the time she went to get some rest on the 12th. I would never criticize her for that. Until you walk a mile in her shoes (God forbid), and all that...