Are you ready for Oxygen’s latest true crime special, Death at the Mansion: Rebecca Zahau? Premiering on Saturday, June 1, at 6 p.m., the documentary takes a look at the more-than-creepy crime. But who was involved in the death? And why is this particular story so complicated? Let us break down the basics of this maybe-murder first.

Who was Rebecca Zahau?

Born in present-day Myanmar, Zahau was a Burmese immigrant who had lived in Germany and Nepal before moving to the United States in her 20s. At the time of her death in July 2011, she was 32 and dating Jonah Shacknai, an Arizonan millionaire who worked in the pharmaceutical industry.

What happened to her?

Though the circumstances surrounding Zahau’s death are more than a little suspicious, it was originally concluded that the Burmese beauty had killed herself. Found naked and bound with her hands tied behind her back, she was hanging from a balcony at her boyfriend’s home. Her body was discovered early in the morning of July 13, 2011, by her boyfriend’s brother, Adam Shacknai, who was staying with the couple and who she had picked up from the airport the night before.

Why is the case suspicious?

Though the death was ruled a suicide, many true crime fanatics don’t believe that Zahau could’ve bound and gagged herself. Instead, they speculate that someone else may have been involved in her death. In the Oxygen documentary, they’ll interview experts, family members, witnesses, and law enforcement officials to examine all the possible theories.

Investigation Discovery recently took their own look at the case in Rebecca Zahau: An ID Murder Mystery. During their investigation, forensic specialist Lisa DiMeo pointed out discrepancies in fingerprints found at the scene. “Rebecca’s fingerprints were developed in the bedroom [attached to the balcony],” she explained. “her fingerprints were there. But places that were commonly handled did not have fingerprints.”

Why did law enforcement suspect it was a suicide?

Despite the fact that the crime seems like a murder on its surface, there was a good reason to wonder if it was a suicide. Just days before Zahau was found dead, she’d been watching her boyfriend’s son when he was involved in a fatal accident. On July 11, 2011, Shacknai’s 6-year-old son, Max, had fallen over a second-floor banister while Zahau claimed she was in the bathroom. Though he didn’t die until a few days after her, on July 16, he was immediately rushed to the hospital and was unresponsive until his death.

Who could’ve been responsible for Zahau’s death?

The family blamed Adam Shacknai, Zahau’s boyfriend’s brother, for her passing. Though he was never charged criminally, Oxygen reports that the Zahaus did sue him in a civil case that ruled in their favor, awarding them $5.1 million in damages. However, NBC San Diego reported in February 2019 that the case had been thrown out and that Adam Shacknai’s insurance company settled for only $600,000.

Where can you learn more?

In addition to the Oxygen special and ID investigation, ABC’s 20/20 also examined the suspicious death. The case has also been looked into in episodes from podcasts Crime and Scandal, True Crimecast, RedHanded, My Favorite Murder and more.

Tune in to Death at the Mansion: Rebecca Zahau on Oxygen on Saturday, June 1 at 6 p.m.

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