What happened to Rebecca Zahau?

[justice be served]

The FACT is that Rebecca's suicide ruling was anything but accepted easily by the press, the public, her family, <modsnip>.

To continue to debate whether or not there IS controversy over the suicide ruling is a waste of time. It simply IS NOT ACCEPTED BY MANY. PERIOD.

 

[Betty P]

The California Attorney General did not turn down but rerouted the request to be be petitioned through appropriate channels first. That was done and the request has been resubmitted.

We are currently waiting to hear whether the California Attorney General will open a new investigation into the matter.

We shouldn't have to keep clarifying this point. The reasons for the California AG's first decision is clear, as is the fact that its not the end of the effort to re-open the case. The appeal is now moving through the appropriate channels.

Those who insist no further investigation is possible are in error. Can we just leave it at that?

 

[CuriousGeorgia]

The FACT is that Rebecca's suicide ruling was anything but accepted easily by the press, the public, her family, <modsnip>.

To continue to debate whether or not there IS controversy over the suicide ruling is a waste of time. It simply IS NOT ACCEPTED BY MANY. PERIOD.

<modsnip>.

It may not be accepted by a small group of people, but that doesn't mean it was murder. It stands as SUICIDE and the DNA and fingerprints prove it.

 

[CuriousGeorgia]

We shouldn't have to keep clarifying this point. The reasons for the California AG's first decision is clear, as is the fact that its not the end of the effort to re-open the case. The appeal is now moving through the appropriate channels.

Those who insist no further investigation is possible are in error. Can we just leave it at that?

No, because the AG DID turn the case down the first time. That is a FACT:

Sept. 22, 2011

The California attorney general denied a pharmaceutical tycoon's request to review a finding that his girlfriend killed herself by binding her wrists and ankles and hanging herself naked from a balcony at his historic mansion, according to a letter released Thursday.

The office of Attorney General Kamala Harris said it reviews cases for limited reasons, including allegations of gross misconduct by investigators, a clear conflict of interest or if a local law enforcement agency lacks resources or requests help.

Jonah Shacknai asked for a review of a San Diego County Sheriff's Department finding that his 32-year-old girlfriend Rebecca Zahau killed herself two days after his 6-year-old son suffered a fatal fall at his waterfront mansion in Coronado, a wealthy San Diego suburb.

Shacknai, 54, wrote the attorney general Monday that he had no reason to doubt the finding but that a review might put to rest questions raised by Zahau's family and others. He said Thursday that he accepted Harris' decision.

"If at any time there is new substantive evidence bearing on this case, it should be presented, not in tabloid form to fuel rumor and innuendo, but rather to appropriate law enforcement authorities who may determine whether further investigation is warranted," Sheriff Gore said in a statement.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/15527592/s...type=printable
__________________

 

[freespeech]

No, because the AG DID turn the case down the first time. That is a FACT:

Sept. 22, 2011

The California attorney general denied a pharmaceutical tycoon's request to review a finding that his girlfriend killed herself by binding her wrists and ankles and hanging herself naked from a balcony at his historic mansion, according to a letter released Thursday.

The office of Attorney General Kamala Harris said it reviews cases for limited reasons, including allegations of gross misconduct by investigators, a clear conflict of interest or if a local law enforcement agency lacks resources or requests help.

Jonah Shacknai asked for a review of a San Diego County Sheriff's Department finding that his 32-year-old girlfriend Rebecca Zahau killed herself two days after his 6-year-old son suffered a fatal fall at his waterfront mansion in Coronado, a wealthy San Diego suburb.

Shacknai, 54, wrote the attorney general Monday that he had no reason to doubt the finding but that a review might put to rest questions raised by Zahau's family and others. He said Thursday that he accepted Harris' decision.

"If at any time there is new substantive evidence bearing on this case, it should be presented, not in tabloid form to fuel rumor and innuendo, but rather to appropriate law enforcement authorities who may determine whether further investigation is warranted," Sheriff Gore said in a statement.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/15527592/s...type=printable


__________________

Jonah Shacknai did not challenge the suicide ruling. He only asked that California Attorney General REVIEW the investigation done.

Jonah Schacknai has stated multiple times that he was satisfied with the investigation done. By stating that he cancelled out his request for a review. Since he was satisfied then obviously he did not really need or want a review.

What Jonah Shacknai did, imo, was a publicity stunt to make himself appear innocent of any wrong doing.

The Zahau's lawyers are not asking for a REVIEW. They have stated that they are not satisfied with the investigation done. They requested that a NEW investigation be done. Though Jonah Shacknai's request for a review was turned done the decision to open a new investigation is still pending.

 

[screecher]

IMO,

The more I read the more I think that RZ was killed and then taken to the courtyard, tied up and then someone upstairs pulled the rope leaving RZ in hanging position. I think what I'm trying to say is that I'm beginning to think that at least 2 people participated in the staging of her death.

The story has Rebecca showering, leaving blood on the shower wall , (even though the ME said Rebecca was NOT having her menses) strolling through the house (from the master bedroom no less, to the other side of mansion into the murder room,) nary a care in the world, just lollygagging along, as blood was running down her legs onto the carpet, then receives THE VOICEMAIL from JS (no record of said call). She drops her towel and phone in the sitting room (as Nina described it), and proceeds to murder herself.

In what order did she do these things:
1. Choke and gag herself...after binding her ankles/before binding her ankles?

2. Bind her ankles, then choke and gag herself, then bind her wrists?

3. When did she put the noose around her neck...had to be after she choked and gagged herself, right?

Oh. Lets not forget...she did all this in the dark.

And before she did her hoppity hop to the balcony rail, she closed the door leading to the balcony.

:crazy::crazy::crazy:

 

[imamaze]

Why am I getting alerts on members being attacked for their opinion here?

You all know the rules. Treat each other with respect, disagree and if you can't agree then agree to disagree.

Everyone here is entitled to their opinion. Disagree with the post and what is said that's fine. It's really not difficult.

Thanks

Ima

 

[Mrs. Holmes]

Jonah Shacknai did not challenge the suicide ruling. He only asked that California Attorney General REVIEW the investigation done.

Jonah Schacknai has stated multiple times that he was satisfied with the investigation done. By stating that he cancelled out his request for a review. Since he was satisfied then obviously he did not really need or want a review.

What Jonah Shacknai did, imo, was a publicity stunt to make himself appear innocent of any wrong doing.

The Zahau's lawyers are not asking for a REVIEW. They have stated that they are not satisfied with the investigation done. They requested that a NEW investigation be done. Though Jonah Shacknai's request for a review was turned done the decision to open a new investigation is still pending.

Maybe it is because of the pain of losing his son.... and the responsibilities of his company that was under major heat due to the accounting irregularlarities.... but it is mind boggling to me that JS does not appear to have the same questions as the Zahau do.

That "thanks so much" letter to the SDLE by JS... that they POSTED on the website... is unnerving.... it seems as long as JS is happy..... LE could not careless about what anyone else has to say, think or feel......

It it so insulting that SDLE seems to be PROUD and that they are only accountable to him with regards to this case.


What if AS or JS is one day criminally or even civilly implicated in RZ's death... is LE still going to be proud of that letter?

 

[FrayedKnot]

<modsnip>.

It may not be accepted by a small group of people, but that doesn't mean it was murder. It stands as SUICIDE and the DNA and fingerprints prove it.

I don't think I understand what you mean by that. One cannot prove a negative.

DNA and fingerprints can prove the presence of a perp, but the lack thereof does not PROVE a suicide, only that there were no fingerprints or foreign DNA found. Someone may have had time to remove trace evidence or prevent it.

Since the ME took 13 hours to arrive at the scene, the TOD became much harder to narrow. So if there was a perp, and I believe that is a certainty, they likely had ample time to cover their tracks.

So much time, in fact, that even the person who cut Rebecca down didn't leave a single trace on her body or the rope. Astonishing!

 

[FightTheOstrich]

The story has Rebecca showering, leaving blood on the shower wall , (even though the ME said Rebecca was NOT having her menses) strolling through the house (from the master bedroom no less, to the other side of mansion into the murder room,) nary a care in the world, just lollygagging along, as blood was running down her legs onto the carpet, then receives THE VOICEMAIL from JS (no record of said call). She drops her towel and phone in the sitting room (as Nina described it), and proceeds to murder herself.

In what order did she do these things:
1. Choke and gag herself...after binding her ankles/before binding her ankles?

2. Bind her ankles, then choke and gag herself, then bind her wrists?

3. When did she put the noose around her neck...had to be after she choked and gagged herself, right?

Oh. Lets not forget...she did all this in the dark.

And before she did her hoppity hop to the balcony rail, she closed the door leading to the balcony.

:crazy::crazy::crazy:

IMO

This investigation was so poor that we actually know very little. For all we know, RZ didn't even die in that house. She had only recently learned to swim, perhaps someone knew she had a fear of water. Maybe she was dragged behind a boat for a while and the reason LE left her body outside for 12 hours was so the tow rope could dry. We have no idea what evidence was staged, what evidence is missing, etc... That's the real travesty, even if they reopen the case, so much time has passed and evidence has been destroyed. My greatest concern is that the case will be reopened but they won't get a conviction bc so many "mistakes" we're made.

 

[justice be served]

IMO

This investigation was so poor that we actually know very little. For all we know, RZ didn't even die in that house. She had only recently learned to swim, perhaps someone knew she had a fear of water. Maybe she was dragged behind a boat for a while and the reason LE left her body outside for 12 hours was so the tow rope could dry. We have no idea what evidence was staged, what evidence is missing, etc... That's the real travesty, even if they reopen the case, so much time has passed and evidence has been destroyed. My greatest concern is that the case will be reopened but they won't get a conviction bc so many "mistakes" we're made.

Oh boy, my heart sank with your post. You are so right. The travesty is there cannot be a genuine reliance on any findings and, in particular, on Rebecca's autopsy and ME findings because she may have been dead for 19 hours and exposed to the elements destroying TOD along with all the other elements of a botched investigation. So sad.

 

[freespeech]

IMO

This investigation was so poor that we actually know very little. For all we know, RZ didn't even die in that house. She had only recently learned to swim, perhaps someone knew she had a fear of water. Maybe she was dragged behind a boat for a while and the reason LE left her body outside for 12 hours was so the tow rope could dry. We have no idea what evidence was staged, what evidence is missing, etc... That's the real travesty, even if they reopen the case, so much time has passed and evidence has been destroyed. My greatest concern is that the case will be reopened but they won't get a conviction bc so many "mistakes" we're made.

I hope San Diego has a strong watchdog group. I have read of several seriously botched up death investigations in that area.

i am so glad that the suicide ruling is being challenged in this case. It was so unprofessional of L.E. to rely on Jonah and Adam's statements to make their determination. They should have done their own unbiased and independent investigation rather than allowing "the rich boyfriend and his brother" to give them their "facts" in this case.

All I can really say about this is that, though, we can't be sure of a conviction here I'm still glad that we questioned L.E.'s investigatory process in Rebecca's case. That will be on the record.

I hope also hope more people will write books about the Zahau family's struggle to get Rebecca's case reopened. At least the story of Rebecca's death can be remembered not as a suicide but as how the policed botched the investigation and ignored evidence that she was murdered.

 

[freespeech]

Drew Petersen caught and convicted and will hopefully never again murder another innocent wife. He was also a very arrogant person. So you just never know.

 

[screecher]

...It was so unprofessional of L.E. to rely on Jonah and Adam's statements to make their determination. They should have done their own unbiased and independent investigation rather than allowing "the rich boyfriend and his brother" to give them their "facts" in this case...

Also the Romano sisters' statements.

 

[freespeech]

Also the Romano sisters' statements.

L.E. used unverified or illegitimately verified statements from both the Shacknai brothers and Romano sisters to determine suicide while discounting other witness statements that could have possibly indicated that a murder took place. This was obvious and provable bias and conflict of interest.

 

[screecher]

I believe LE also did not collect integral (would be) evidence. Nor did they test much of the evidence they did collect.

Why have they not returned Rebecca's phone, computer and camera? The case is closed...

IMO, the so-called investigation was/is a sham.

I know, beating a dead horse.

 

[freespeech]

I believe LE also did not collect integral (would be) evidence. Nor did they test much of the evidence they did collect.

Why have they not returned Rebecca's phone, computer and camera? The case is closed...

IMO, the so-called investigation was/is a sham.

I know, beating a dead horse.

No, you are not beating a dead horse. Those are valid questions. Why is L.E. hanging onto that phone. It makes them look like they are hiding something.

If there is proof of a murder on those items then L.E. could be caught and exposed for acting corruptly. Your questions are tremendously significant.

I wonder if the Zahau can get a court order for their release since their sister's case was closed?

 

[screecher]

^^^

It looks like the route they will have to take.

SDSO has not been forthcoming, and it does seem they are hiding/obstructing a clean and comprehensive investigation.

 

[Wendy101]

Maybe it is because of the pain of losing his son.... and the responsibilities of his company that was under major heat due to the accounting irregularlarities.... but it is mind boggling to me that JS does not appear to have the same questions as the Zahau do.

That "thanks so much" letter to the SDLE by JS... that they POSTED on the website... is unnerving.... it seems as long as JS is happy..... LE could not careless about what anyone else has to say, think or feel......

It it so insulting that SDLE seems to be PROUD and that they are only accountable to him with regards to this case.

What if AS or JS is one day criminally or even civilly implicated in RZ's death... is LE still going to be proud of that letter?

BBM: ITA... This is what makes me believe the murder(IMO) of Rebecca is being covered up... I have a,ways thought Rebecca was murdered by someone who had a hole lot of rage, now, I am thinking more along the lines she was murdered so that she wouldn't speak the truth... About what happened to Maxie.

 

[*Lash*]

I believe LE also did not collect integral (would be) evidence. Nor did they test much of the evidence they did collect.

Why have they not returned Rebecca's phone, computer and camera? The case is closed...

IMO, the so-called investigation was/is a sham.

I know, beating a dead horse.

Example - a red dog bone! Maybe on the bone there was more than saliva or dog hair. The dog bone could have had a piece or two of Rebecca's hair stuck to it. In my opinion, the dog bone was potential evidence that was not tested.