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San Diego true crime author discusses upcoming book on Rebecca Zahau death

The case has captivated many in San Diego and beyond since Rebecca Zahau was found dead at the Coronado Spreckels Mansion in 2011.

SAN DIEGO —

Rebecca Zahau’s death at a historic Coronado mansion was ruled a suicide eight years ago. But doubts surrounding her death have lingered.  

San Diego true crime author Caitlin Rother recently signed a deal to write a book on the case with information that hasn’t been made public before. The book will be the 14th authored or co-authored by Rother.  

The case has captivated many in San Diego and beyond since Zahau was found dead at the Coronado Spreckels Mansion.  

“It’s got so much mystery to it,” said Rother. “Everybody’s got a different theory.” 

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Rother’s book on the case is tentatively titled, “Justice for Rebecca.”  

“The community wants answers,” Rother said. “They are challenging the findings of suicide." 

Zahau was the girlfriend of a pharmaceutical magnate Jonah Shacknai. 

In 2011, Zahau was watching Jonah's 6-year-old son Max when the child fell off the staircase banister. He died a few days later and his death was ruled accidental. 

While the Max was still in the hospital, Jonah brother's Adam Shacknai found Rebecca's body - feet bound and hands tied behind her back - hanging off a bedroom balcony. Zahau's death was ruled a suicide. 

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But Zahau’s family does not believe she killed herself. They filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Adam Shacknai and won.  

Rother's book is scheduled to be published in 2021, so the author can't go into details yet but says she has interviewed people with information that was never made public. And says there may be more to the story than we know. 

Rother is looking for leads and wants anyone with information to contact her via her website.

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