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Crime Salad

‘She Saved Him, Can You Save Her?’ Rebecca Zahau | Part 1

Crime Salad

BLACKCAT | Realm

True Crime

4.43.4K Ratings

🗓️ 12 May 2026

⏱️ 40 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Go to https://www.omahasteaks.com and use promo code CRIMESALAD at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. In July 2011, two people died at the same mansion in Coronado, California, within a week. First, six-year-old Max Shacknai fell from a second-floor banister while in the care of his father's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau. Two days later, Rebecca was found hanging from a balcony at the Spreckels Mansion, naked, bound, and gagged. The San Diego Sheriff's Department called it a suicide. Rebecca's family has spent over a decade arguing it was something else entirely. This is Part 1 of our two-part series on the death of Rebecca Zahau. Part 2 drops next week. Subscribe wherever you listen so you don't miss it. CONTENT WARNING This episode discusses suicide, the death of a child, and allegations of sexual assault. Please take care of yourself while listening. IF YOU NEED SUPPORT You are not alone. Help is available. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 1-800-799-7233, available 24/7. National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): call 1-800-656-4673 SUPPORT CRIME SALAD If you want to help us keep making the show, here is how: Patreon: patreon.com/crimesaladpodcast Merch: crimesaladpodcast.dashery.com Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Share this episode with someone who'd want to hear it A NOTE ON THIS CASE Adam Shacknai has consistently maintained his innocence and was never criminally charged in connection with this case. The 2018 civil verdict that found him liable for Rebecca's death was vacated as part of a 2019 settlement. Statements about specific individuals throughout this episode should be understood as allegations, opinions, or attributed claims from named sources, not as statements of fact by us. Information in this episode is drawn from publicly available news reports, court records, autopsy reports, official statements, and books published about the case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Before we get into today's case, a quick heads up, this episode discusses suicide, the death of a child, and allegations of sexual assault.

0:10.3

If any of these topics may be difficult for you to hear, please take care of yourself.

0:14.6

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.

0:18.4

In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the suicide and crisis lifeline.

0:24.4

If you're experiencing domestic abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24-7 at 1-800-799-7233.

0:33.8

We also want to be clear about how we're approaching this case.

0:36.8

The information in this episode is drawn from publicly available news reports, court records,

0:41.9

autopsy reports, official statements, and books published about this case.

0:46.8

Adam Shacknigh has consistently maintained his innocence and was never criminally charged

0:51.4

in connection with this case.

0:53.6

The 2018 civil verdict that found

0:55.8

him liable for Rebecca's death was vacated as part of a 2019 settlement. Statements about specific

1:02.4

individuals throughout this episode should be understood as allegations, opinions, or attributed

1:08.4

claims from named sources, not as statements of fact by us.

1:13.2

Also, we aren't very familiar with some of the names in this episode, so we'll try our best.

1:18.5

Please forgive us.

1:19.6

With that being said, let's get into it.

1:22.3

I'm Ashley.

1:23.2

I'm Ricky.

1:24.1

And this is Crime Salad.

1:42.0

Thank you. I'm Ricky. And this is Crime Salad. Coronado, California is an affluent peninsula in San Diego County, defined by Wormonado, California is an affluent peninsula city in San Diego County, defined by wide, sparkling beaches, historic architecture, and a quiet atmosphere.

1:53.5

People ride beach cruisers down tree-lined streets, and the sound of the Pacific Ocean is constantly in the background.

...

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