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"I can't believe it happened in Coronado"

By Susan& Charlie Ahern

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties BRE#01262309/01268060

July 17, 2011 05:14 PM

I can’t believe it happened in Coronado

please keep these families in your prayers

As long time Coronado residents and business owners, Charlie and I have not ever heard of anything like this, not even remotely close to what I was about to tell you below. To all AR community members, please say a prayer for Max and his family, and the family of Rebecca Zahau.

On July 11 Monday, an apparent accident happened at the 100-year-old historic Spreckels Mansion- 1043 Ocean Blvd on Coronado Island. Six years old Max Shacknai fell down the staircase and went into a coma. His father and owner of the Spreckels Mansion, Jonah Shacknai, 54, is the founder and CEO of Scottsdale-based Medicis Pharmaceuticals Corp.Medicis founder Shacknai, 54, has served as CEO since 1988, building the pharmaceutical firm into a company that generated $691.6 million in sales and $123.3 million in profit last year. He purchased the 1908 historical mansion four years agao for $12.75 Million.

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48 hours later, on July 13, the nude body of Jonah Shacknai’s 32-year-old girlfriend Rebecca Zahau's was found in the mansion.

According to investigators, Rebecca Zahau, who lived in Scottsdale, Arizona in recent years, was found by the brother of Jonah Shacknai, hanging from a balcony. Investigators say her ankles and wrists were tied behind her back.

Zahau's suspicious death is under investigation by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Investigators have yet to rule her death a suicide or a homicide.

Earlier today, with great sadness, Jonah Shacknai conveyed the tragic passing of his son Max died after a serious fall Monday, along with Max’s mother, Jonah’s ex-wife, Dina Romano.

Memorial contributions in Max's honor may be made to the Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation.

http://www.whisperinghoperanch.org/

Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation
Administrative Office
9045 East Pima Center Parkway
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
P: (602) 266-2216
F: (602) 266-2219

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Coronado, Spreckels Mansion, Mansion, historical, prayer, hotel del

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Susan& Charlie Ahern

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Coronado, CA

Owner & Broker, Coronado Real Estate 4 Sale 619-92

It is such a sad sad sad story. Please keep the families of Max Shacknai and Rebecca Zahau in your thoughts and prayers.Rest in Peace.

Jul 17, 2011 05:17 PM

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate

Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

This will regrettably become the next "Casey Anthony" sensation. Especially with $100's of millions of dollars involved.

Zahau's hands and feet were bound. How does one bind their feet, then tie their hands behind their back, and then hang themself?

"This is a very bizarre death, there's no doubt about it," said San Diego Sheriff's Capt. Tim Curran.

And young Max Shacknai falling down the stairs just 2 days prior?

- - - Get ready for Nancy Grace, Geraldo Rivera, et al... they are coming.

Jul 17, 2011 05:21 PM

Eric Crane -- Your Full Service, Discount Fee Realtor®

DPR Realty LLC - Gilbert, AZ

Greater Metro Phoenix Arizona

Terrible news -- especially whenever you hear of the loss of a child, who is of course innocent of anything else that may have transpired. And yes, have to agree with Fred, that it is about to become sensationalized.

Jul 17, 2011 05:33 PM

Fred and Eric,

Thanks for the comments. I can't stop feeling sad, and feeling sorry for the families. Very bizarre death as well. Max's mother still lives in Coronado. My heart goes out to her.

Jul 17, 2011 05:39 PM

MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900

Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA

Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years

Thoughts and prayers for grace for the bereaved and for the truth to come out.

Jul 17, 2011 05:50 PM

Pray for truth to come out. Well said. Michelle.

Jul 17, 2011 06:02 PM

In case you are following this blog, here is an update-

Sgt. Roy Frank of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department homicide squad cautions that suicides can sometimes look like something else, even like murder.

Until forensic tests on Rebecca Nalepa, 32, the girlfriend of the Spreckels Mansion owner Jonah Shacknai, are completed, the Sheriff's Department won't say what the cause of death was. That could take weeks.

The public may think that the fact that Nalepa's hands and feet were tied rules out suicide. Frank does not.

"We have not been able to rule out suicide," Frank said Monday.

Don't forget to say a prayer for the families involved. May they seek and find their comfort and peace.

More to come. Follow my blog.

Jul 19, 2011 07:03 AM

Sharon Tara

Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH

Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

This is so bizarre! I agree there will be lots of attention on this, but probably not for awhile. Look how long it took for the Anthony case to get attention.

Jul 23, 2011 05:59 AM

I agree, Sharon. It will take a while. I feel so sorry for the families that involved. It must be a long and troubling time for them.

Jul 23, 2011 07:54 AM

"I can't believe it happened in Coronado"

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