Mysterious double tragedy in Coronado …
Medicis Pharmaceutical founder and chief executive officer Jonah Shacknai is in the middle of a police investigation following the mysterious hanging of his girlfriend and the subsequent death of his six-year-old son.
The bizarre situation started last Monday when Max Shacknai was taken to a hospital after suffering a fall from the grand staircase of his father’s Ocean Boulevard mansion in Coronado, California. He remained in intensive care until his death on Sunday, July 17.
Two days after the young boy was gravely injured while home alone with his father’s 32-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca Nalepa, her nude body was found hanging from an upstairs balcony at the 27-room estate, her hands and feet bound.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, it was Adam Schacknai who discovered the lifeless body of his brother’s girlfriend of two years. Jonah Schacknai was reportedly keeping vigil at his son’s bedside when Nalepa’s body was found.
Captain Tim Curran said: “Because of the unique and bizarre circumstances, it has yet to be determined whether this is a homicide or a suspicious death. This is a very bizarre death. There is no doubt about it.”
Curran went on to say that the woman died “violently,” but hedged: “I’m not really prepared to comment on what led us to believe that, but the scene does indicate some type of very suspicious circumstances.”
Both brothers have been questioned as witnesses, and have been cooperating with the ongoing investigation, according to Curran.
The skin-care product CEO sent an email to reporters regarding the death of his son: “His loving, kind and vibrant spirit will forever be in our hearts and those whom he touched every day. The loss to our families, Max’s many friends of all ages, and teammates, and the community is immeasurable.”
Check out video footage below. The report was filmed prior to the death of the young boy: