According to reports this past week, Rebecca Zahau, the girlfriend of pharmaceutical mogul, Jonah Shacknai, who was found dead at their California historic mansion on July 13, may have had suspicious activity surrounding her death.
Is Her Death Suicide or Murder?
This suspicion includes the possibility of a ritualistic type of killing, according to a statement made on September 7 by Maurice Godwin, Ph.D., and reported by ABC News.
Godwin has a degree in criminal psychology and has been investigating crimes for 15 years. He elaborated on his recent statement by saying he thinks Zahau was assaulted and bound, as opposed to the “suicide” that the coroner cited on her autopsy report.
He goes on to say the cryptic message they found on her bedroom door had overtones of a ritualistic killing and the area where she was prior to the killing in the bedroom seemed “staged.”
Details of a Sadistic Killing
Some of the details found in the coroner’s report include blood found on Zahau, tape residue found on her legs and a severe blow to the head (causing haemorraging). She also had bruises on her body and part of a t-shirt was found in her mouth.
Many have argued that there was no way she could actually bind her hands and feet and send herself over the balcony to her death with ease. This is precisely how she was found in death, plus she was naked.
There are many suspicions surrounding her death which is amplified by the fact that just days earlier her boyfriend’s six year-old child (Max Shacknai) had died as a result of injuries sustained falling down the stairs in Shacknai's mansion. Zahau was home babysitting the boy at the time.
Sources say Zahau must have felt a great deal of responsibility about his death and that is the reason she committed suicide. According to ABCNews Zahau and Shacknai had dated for two years and seemed very happy together. Friends and family said she was very fond of Shacknai’s son.
What Does the Message Mean?
The message left behind in this death speaks volumes, but what does it really mean?
The words “She saved him can you save her?” as reported by ABCnews.com are seared into the minds of friends and family forever.
Zahau actually wears the paint from that message in her death like a symbol or shield. It is a typical mystery with so many clues left to be discovered. Only Zahau knows what happened or does she?
Sources:
- ABCnews.com, "Rebecca Zahau's Death a Ritualistic Killing?
- ABCnews.com, "Mystery Mansion Death: Family Shocked, Devastated"
