Who is Jonah Shaknai? Who Killed Rebecca Nalepa-Zahau? Update: 2nd Autopsy: Likely Murder!

I've been following a recent news story involving an Arizona multi-millionaire, Jonah Shaknai, who is the CEO of Medicis Pharmaceuticals Corporation located in Scottsdale.

I'm giving up-to-date developments about this case as well as any information I locate through researching efforts for anyone interested in this story.

My own personal feeling about the death of Rebecca after reviewing all of the information so far is a case of murder. What do you think?

So who is Jonah Shaknai? His Scottsdale based company, Medicis Pharmaceuticals, is best known for the acne drug, Solodyn and the popular wrinkle filler, Restylane.

Shaknai who is 54 years old resides in Paradise Valley, AZ. and also owns a 27 room mansion in Coronado, California.

Mr. Shaknai has been married and divorced twice and has two children, a daughter, 14 years old and a son, 13 years old with first wife, Kimberly James and a son, Max, six years old with second wife, Dina Flores. For the past two years he has been dating live-in girlfriend, Rebecca Nalepa-Zahua, 32 years old.

A call was made to 911 on July 11, 2011 by a female at the Coronado mansion regarding Shaknai's 6 year old son, Max, having a serious fall down the main staircase according to the San Diego Sheriff's Department.

Max is Shaknai's son from his second marriage to Dina. At the time of the accident, Max was being cared for by Rebecca. When emergency personnel arrived to the California mansion, Max was not breathing and did not have a pulse.

He was transported immediately to San Diego Children's Hospital where Mr. Shaknai and Dina have been at his bedside ever since. The boy was still in a coma as of Wednesday afternoon.

Just two days later, another call was made to 911 from the California mansion by Mr. Shaknai's brother, Adam, who flew out to be of support to Jonah, a few days earlier after learning Max had a serious accident. Adam has been staying in the guest house located on the property. He told authorities he found Rebecca hanging from her neck from the mansions second story balcony. Adam reportedly cut Rebecca down hoping she would still be alive.

According to police reports, Mr. Jonah Shaknai was not home at the time Rebecca was found and was with his ex-wife, Dina at Max's bedside at the children's hospital.

Rebecca's totally nude body laying in the courtyard with her hands and feet bound behind her with an orange electrical cord could be seen by the helicopter aerial video taken at the scene. Before she was transported to the hospital Rebecca passed away.

There is nothing to indicate the fall Max had two days ago and Rebecca's death are related in any way according to Tim Curran with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. He did add that Rebecca's death was a violent and very suspicious one and has not been confirmed if it's suicide or murder.

Wednesday morning, detective's could be seen removing a broken table leg and table, a large picture frame or wall mirror and a brown paper bag of unknown items from inside the mansion. Police have been very tight-lipped about the case and have refused to offer much more information, only stating they were awaiting the results from Rebecca's autopsy to be finalized on Thursday.

There were a few reports from near-by neighbors of a loud party at the mansion on Tuesday night, just a day after Max was seriously injured and a day before Rebecca was found hung from the second story balcony.

Ted Greenberg, owner of Camp Diggity Dogs, was one of the last people to see Rebecca alive. He said Rebecca had phoned Monday morning to inquire about kenneling her dog, Ocean. Rebecca stated she needed to go be with Max and Jonah at the hospital.

I've done a bit of research about a few of the main people involved with this case and this is what I have to share with you:

Rebecca was married to Neil Nalepa, 36 years old and divorced on February 28, 2011 in Arizona. Just three months later, Rebecca requested from the courts for her name to be restored to Zahau.

When Neil Nalepa petitioned the courts for divorce he asked for the filing fees to be waived. Court documents also indicate that Mr. Nalepa has had a few civil suits over the past couple of years for money he owes from evictions at apartment complexes.

Court records also show that Rebecca was charged with shoplifting a few years ago when she took $1,000 worth of jewelry from Macy's.

Shaknai and first wife, Kimberly James were married in April 1993 in Bel Air, California. Kimberly filed for divorce in 1999. In 2001, a custody agreement was finalized in regards to their two children, a daughter, 14 years old and a son, 13 years old.

Shaknai then married Dina Flores and divorced in 2008. Mr. Shaknai and Dina had one son, Max, 6 years old. The court records have been sealed and are not able to be viewed by the public.

According to court documents, Kimberly James requested an order of protection against Mr. Shaknai when she filed for divorce. She also asked for the filing fees to be waived and did not have legal representation. Court documents indicate Kimberly petitioned the courts for a mental health expert in regards to the child visitation and custody. The courts also subpoenaed mental health records in the case.

Records in the Arizona Justice Courts show a couple of files on Mr. Shaknai, one citation issued for failure to display a legible license plate on his vehicle in March 2009 and another citation for the same offense on April 27, 2010.

Currently, Mr. Shaknai and his ex-wife Dina are listed as defendants in a case filed by Robert Binder on March 24, 2011. Also included as a defendant is Medicis Pharmaceuticals. A day later, another civil suit was filed by Joseph Alessi against Mr. Shaknai and Medicis Pharmaceuticals.

Court documents show there are a dozen or so other civil cases in the Arizona Superior Courts against Mr. Shaknai and Medicis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Rebecca was employed in Scottsdale as a Lasik technician and is said to have left her position recently to spend more time with Mr. Shaknai and his children. Patients of Rebecca's and co-workers said she was an up-beat person who took her career seriously and was great with people.

UPDATE: July 18, 2011

Max, the 6 year old son of Mr. Shaknai and ex-wife, Dina passed away today at the San Diego's Children Hospital where he was being treated for serious injuries he sustained from falling down the stair case at the California mansion on Monday.

UPDATE: July 20, 2011

There has been a number of reports of domestic violence issues at the Paradise Valley home of Mr. Shaknai and ex-wife Dina during their marriage according to police records. Complaints filed by Dina claim she was attacked many times by the family dog during heated arguments between her and Mr. Shaknai. She claims Mr. Shaknai is able to agitate the dog to bite her and does nothing to stop it.

The toxicology results and other tests taken at Rebecca's autopsy are to now be expedited according to police documents.

UPDATE: July 21, 2011

Rebecca's sister said she would never have considered suicide and describes Rebecca as a very energetic, happy and vibrant young woman. She also said the two of them had spoke Monday night and Rebecca was going to phone their parents the following morning.

Rebecca's physical trainer said she was a strong and physically fit person who came in to train regularly. He also said that it may be possible for someone in her shape and with her level of strength to hang herself with her hands and feet bound.

Friends said there was a lot of love between Mr. Shaknai and Rebecca and he was planning to ask her to marry him very soon.

A number of homeowners who live near the 27 room mansion described Mr. Shaknai as being very arrogant who wants what he wants and does not have much regard for others. Mr. Shaknai apparently wanted to make an addition to his property and went before the homeowners association in the past year.

Shaknai has a few previous cases in the Arizona Justice Courts. One citation issued on March 18, 2009 for failure to display a legible license plate on his vehicle. The other citation issued on April 27, 2010 for the same violation of not displaying a legible license plate.

Shaknai and his ex-wife Dina, are currently listed as defendants in an Arizona Superior Court civil case filed by a Robert Binder on March 24, 2011. Medicis is also named as a defendant. On March 25, 2011 Joseph Alessi filed a civil suit against Jonah Shaknai and Medicis.

There are about a dozen civil cases filed in the Arizona Superior Courts against Medicis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Jonah Shaknai. According to news report today, Shaknai has had some involvement with Paradise Valley Police in the past.

UPDATE: July 23, 2011

Today, Rebecca's memorial service was held in Missouri where sister, Mary Zahau-Loehner lives. Mr. Jonah Shaknai attended the service.

Mary Zahau completely disagrees with the idea that her sister committed suicide. She said her sister valued life, was very much a family person, happy and was remaining strong for Mr. Shaknai and Max. Her sister also added that Rebecca had been training for an up-coming triathlon.

Friends are defending the fact that Mr. Shaknai has not yet issued any kind of a statement about the deaths of Max and Rebecca.

Some are speculating that if Rebecca did in fact commit suicide she did so out of the guilt and/or grief she felt for Max.

UPDATE: July 24, 2011

There are a number of claims according to Paradise Valley, AZ. police records of Dina Shaknai being in fear of her life by Jonah during their last few years of marriage. According to complaints filed by Dina, Mr. Shaknai said he would ruin and crush her and she should not dare him, in 2008. Dina described her husband as a very controlling person who would start heated arguments with her.

Dina sent a total of 16 pictures to the police department which she claimed were injuries from the family dog over the last couple years of marriage when Mr. Shaknai would agitate it to do so.

UPDATE: July 25, 2011

Police have requested video surveillance tape from the San Diego children's hospital where Max was being cared for to re-create a time line of events in regards to Rebecca's death.

Denise D. Resnick, a close ten year friend of Mr. Jonah Shaknai, describes him as a good friend and a dedicated family man. Sources have reported to Radar On-line that Mr. Shaknai has been cooperative with the investigation and police.

UPDATE: August 1, 2011

According to recent police reports, the owner of the dog kennel, Camp Diggity Dogs, where Ms. Nalepa-Zahau took her dog, Ocean, on the day Max was injured so she could be with Jonah and his son at the hospital, said she was visibly upset and shaken.

Mr. Shaknai has also hired a high profile PR firm, the same one that Paris Hilton and Michael Jackson previously used.

There are a total of fifteen detectives currently working on the case to determine if the cause of Rebecca's death is a suicide or murder. Mr. Shaknai recently returned to Arizona as detectives continue to search for and gather evidence from the California mansion.

Radar On-Line reported that Mr. Shaknai has been very cooperative with the extensive interviews by detectives regarding the deaths of Max and Rebecca.

August 12, 2011

According to information on the web-site, "Websleuths", Dina Shaknai was in the home in Coronado, California the day Max had his accident with falling from the stair case.

According to a news report last week, Max was "planking" and this is what supposedly resulted in his injuries.

August 22, 2011

I was beginning to wonder if we would ever hear anymore about the death of Rebecca. This evening when turning on the Channel 10 news at 5p.m. one of the first stories was about Rebecca. I sat in total disbelief and numb for a few moments when it was reported that detectives are leaning more towards suicide as the cause for Rebecca's death.

I personally do not believe this. I don't believe Rebecca could have bound her feet and hands after removing her clothing and hung herself. I don't think too many people can bound their feet and hands and then hang themselves. There is a show on cable T.V. that does re-creations and experiments of things that may or may not be possible. I can't recall the name of the show however. They have done some pretty amazing stuff and I am wondering if there is anyway for them to prove if this is possible or not.

September 2, 2011

The San Diego Sheriffs Department held a live news conference this morning to tell the public what they have confirmed as far as the cause of Max and Rebecca's death, if it was an accident or murder regarding Max and suicide or murder regarding Rebecca.

They stated it has been confirmed that the cause of Max's death was due to injuries sustained from an unfortunate accident when "planking" on the staircase.

They said it's been confirmed that Rebecca committed suicide and the case has now been closed.

September 7, 2011

The San Diego Sheriff's Department told Radar On-line today that they would re-open the case if they had a new lead or witness.

Lt. Nesbit of the San Diego Sheriff's Department told Radar On-line that just because the case was closed last week does not mean they won't look at new leads and witnesses.

It was confirmed that Mr. Shaknai's brother, Adam was the only person home at the mansion at the time Rebecca was found hanging from the 2nd story balcony. It was also confirmed that Mr. Shaknai and his ex-wife Dina were at the hospital with Max at the time Rebecca was found at the mansion and was also staying at the Ronald McDonald House next to the hospital in the days prior to her death.

A forensic expert who has a very respected reputation in the industry was on Fox Channel 10 News this morning and stated he is concerned about the San Diego Sheriffs Department closing the case as soon as they have because of a few of the findings discovered with Rebecca's autopsy results.

He indicated answers are needed for the questions involving the four separate bruises found under the surface of the scalp. He explained these would be caused from blunt force trauma or from the head hitting against something. He also added there was evidence of duct tape being on Rebecca's ankles however, there is nothing reported about any duct tape being found by detectives at the mansion.There needs to be an answer as to where the duct tape is.

He stated the autopsy report also reported that Rebecca had a t-shirt wrapped around her neck three times with part of it stuffed in her mouth. I think we can all agree with him, that these findings are just far too concerning to so quickly say Rebecca committed suicide and close the case.

I simply can't believe that someone can tie there hands behind their back, tie there feet or ankles together, wrap a t-shirt around their neck and stuff a portion of it inside their mouth and then get themselves in a position and hang themselves. I would think at some point you would need the use of your hands or feet. I just don't see it.

September 21, 2011

Does the fact that Jonah Shaknai asked the courts to re-open the case involving Rebecca's death change your mind about what you think happened to her?

Mr. Shaknai asked the courts to re-open the case so any speculations could be laid to rest. The courts denied his request stating they will not re-open it.

November 2011

A second autopsy was performed this month. Rebecca's sister, Mary Zahau was in touch with Dr.Phil who contacted medical examiner, Dr. Wentz to perform the procedure. The doctor highly doubts Rebecca's death was a result of suicide and instead is leaning strongly towards murder.