In July 2011, 32-year-old Rebecca Zahau was staying at the historic Spreckels Mansion in Coronado, California, with her boyfriend, pharmaceutical executive Jonah Shacknai.

Two days before Rebecca’s death, Jonah’s six-year-old son, Max, suffered catastrophic injuries after falling inside the mansion while Rebecca and her teenage sister were present. Max remained hospitalized in critical condition as Rebecca returned to the mansion with Jonah’s brother, Adam Shacknai. The following morning, Rebecca was found hanging from a second-floor balcony. Her hands and feet were bound, a long-sleeved shirt was wrapped around her neck and partly in her mouth, and a cryptic message had been painted inside the bedroom:

“She saved him. Can you save her?”

The medical examiner ruled Rebecca’s death a suicide, and investigators said they found no evidence of a crime. Rebecca’s family fiercely disputed that conclusion. Years later, a civil jury found Adam Shacknai liable for her death, while a subsequent review by the Sheriff’s Department again concluded that the evidence remained consistent with the original suicide ruling.

But before Theresa Michaels reveals any of that history, David Zarza knows only Rebecca’s name, date of birth, and photograph.

During his independent intuitive reading, David describes a frightened woman, a wealthy and complicated relationship, a child’s accident inside a large home, a strained encounter with another man in the house, bindings, a balcony, and what he interprets not as an intentional suicide—but as a desperate act meant to be interrupted that went catastrophically wrong.

Then Theresa begins revealing the documented case.

Some details intersect in startling ways. Others raise entirely new questions.

Was Rebecca Zahau’s death suicide, homicide— or could the truth be something neither side has fully considered?

Listen with an open mind. Consider the facts. Decide for yourself.

David’s intuitive impressions are personal perceptions and are not presented as fact or evidence. Nothing discussed should be interpreted as an accusation or determination of guilt.

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Still Unanswered
Evidence meets intuition.
Hosted by David Zarza & Theresa Michaels.

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