Death on Ocean Boulevard
Inside the Coronado Mansion Case
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Death on Ocean Boulevard
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Narrated by:
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Rachel Perry
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Written by:
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Caitlin Rother
About this listen
The call came on the morning of July 13, 2011, from the historic Spreckels Mansion, a lavish beachfront property in Coronado, California, owned by pharmaceutical tycoon and multimillionaire Jonah Shacknai. When authorities arrived, they found the naked body of Jonah's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau gagged, her ankles tied, and her wrists bound behind her. Jonah's brother, Adam, claimed to have found Rebecca hanging by a rope from the second-floor balcony. On a bedroom door in black paint were the cryptic words: She Saved Him Can You Save Her.
Was this scrawled message a suicide note or a killer's taunt? Rebecca's death came two days after Jonah's six-year-old son, Max, took a devastating fall while in Rebecca's care. Authorities deemed Rebecca's death a suicide resulting from her guilt. But who would stage either a suicide or a murder in such a bizarre, elaborate way?
Award-winning investigative journalist Caitlin Rother weaves stunning new details into a personal yet objective examination of the sensational case. As compelling as it is troubling, this controversial real-life mystery is a classic American tragedy that evokes the same haunting fascination as the JonBenet Ramsey and O.J. Simpson cases.
©2021 Caitlin Rother (P)2021 TantorWhat listeners say about Death on Ocean Boulevard
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Langer MD
- 2024-06-04
Fascinating Case
Caitlin Rother's no-nonsense "just-the-facts" approach to storytelling works wonderfully for this True Crime book (it doesn't always). She offers much more commentary than in others of her books, but the evidence and testimony during a Civil Trial are the real stars of the book. This tragedy has enough of the bizarre and enough mystery to make leaving it up to the reader/listeners a legitimately praiseworthy decision. Rother editotializes in the 'Epilogue' of the book, plugs other projects in her library, and draws parallels to her own husband's suicide by hanging, but doesn't try to offer conclusions.
Rother doesn't have any Pulitzers in her future, but writes capably, displays unsurpassed background research, and reinvigorates interest throughout the exposé with judiciously placed revelations. This book is highly readable.
Doubtless consistently above-average narration from Rachel Perry contributes to my favorable impression of the book, too. Her reading timbre is a little bit breathy, but her diction, cadence, pacing, and tone are truly commendable. Tantor Audio Inc. did a great job casting and producing this recording.
Altogether, this is the best Caitlin Rother documentary that I have encountered. The author tends to autistic-level punctiliousness (sometimes getting lost in detail) but it doesn't overwhelm this 9 out of 10 star offering. Those little bits of evidence and character background actually add to the intrigue. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found this audiobook in the 'Plus' catalog.. because it would rate a Credit.
[Note: The message scrawled on a nearby door: "SHE SAVED HIM CAN YOU SAVE HER" is as thought-provoking as Jack The Ripper's controversial "JEWES" statement]
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