Femtalities
Rebecca Zahau — Murder or Suicide?
Ten years later and the debate over how she died continues
On July 13, 2011, Burmese-born Rebecca Mawii Zahau, age 32, was found hanged at the Spreckels Mansion in Coronado, California. She was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Her death came only two days after that of 6-year-old Max Shacknai, the son of her boyfriend, Jonah Shacknai. Young Max had fallen from the staircase of the mansion while there alone with Rebecca and her younger sister, Xena. He was in critical condition in the hospital at the time of Rebecca’s death but would succumb to his injuries only three days later on July 16, 2011.
Less than three weeks later, on September 2, 2011, San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore announced that both cases were being closed. Rebecca’s death was ruled a suicide and Max’s death was ruled an accident. Rebecca’s family was not convinced and employed their own investigators to pursue the case.
Let’s go back to the beginning and examine the situation further.
Before her death, Rebecca’s life seemed to be a bit of a wreck. She had married a nursing student…
