The Mysterious Death of Rebecca Zahau

A Note from the Moms: Hey everyone! Just a quick heads-up: this is one of our early episodes, so please be gentle! We were still figuring things out, and we promise the audio quality and our hosting skills have gotten much better since. Thanks for sticking with us from the beginning! Welcome back to Moms and Murder! This week, we’re diving into a case that is as bizarre as it is tragic: the death of Rebecca Zahau at the historic Spreckels Mansion in Coronado, California. Just two days after her billionaire boyfriend’s 6-year-old son suffered a fatal fall under her care, Rebecca was found dead—naked, bound, and hanging from a balcony. Authorities ruled it a suicide, but the evidence tells a much more complicated and sinister story.In this episode, we explore the deeply suspicious circumstances surrounding Rebecca's death: •A Double Tragedy: We begin with the tragic accident involving Max Shacknai, who fell from a second-story landing, and the questions that immediately began to surface. •The Discovery: We detail the chilling 911 call made by Adam Shacknai, Jonah’s brother, who claimed to have found Rebecca hanging and cut her down before authorities arrived. •A Staged Suicide?: The scene was incredibly elaborate. Rebecca was found with her hands and feet bound in complex knots, a gag in her mouth, and four hemorrhages on her head that suggested she was struck before her death. •The Cryptic Message: A bizarre message was painted on the bedroom door: “She saved him. Can you save her?” But the handwriting didn’t appear to be Rebecca’s. •Conflicting Evidence: We break down all the reasons the suicide ruling doesn’t add up, from the lack of Rebecca’s DNA on the balcony to the fact that the knots would have been nearly impossible for her to tie herself. •Theories and Suspects: We discuss the main players, including Jonah’s brother Adam—the only other person on the property—and the civil lawsuit Rebecca’s family filed, convinced she was murdered. Join us as we unravel a case where wealth, power, and tragedy collide, leaving behind a mystery that continues to haunt everyone involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices