Ep 2. Down the Back Staircase

Dateline: Secrets Uncovered season 5 episode 2, titled "Down the Back Staircase," delves into a shocking mystery that has puzzled authorities for years. The episode explores a bizarre case concerning the death of an Ohio woman, Rebecca Zahau, who was found hanging from a balcony at her boyfriend's mansion in Coronado, California.

Despite the initial ruling of suicide, Rebecca's family and friends were convinced that foul play was involved. They believed that the wealthy pharmaceutical executive and owner of the mansion, Jonah Shacknai, played a role in her death. The tale of Rebecca Zahau's death is filled with twists and turns, and "Down the Back Staircase" takes a close look at each one of them.

The episode begins with a comprehensive explanation of the crime scene. Zahau was allegedly found naked, with her hands and feet bound. She had also been gagged with a t-shirt and her arms had been twisted behind her back. The scene was staged, with cryptic messages and paintings scrawled on the walls and floor. These messages added another layer of mystique to the already puzzling case, making authorities even more curious about the circumstances surrounding Zahau's death.

The episode then takes a closer look at the victim, Rebecca Zahau, providing compelling insights into her personality, work-life, and relationship with Jonah Shacknai. It becomes clear that the two had a volatile, yet passionate relationship. The two had met during a charity event that Zahau was coordinating, and Shacknai had later flown her to his Coronado mansion for a weekend of romance. The weekend, however, was tumultuous, and the two had allegedly had several fights before Zahau's death.

The episode explores the various theories surrounding Jonah Shacknai's involvement in Zahau's death. Shacknai, a wealthy and powerful man, had reportedly been facing the fallout of his company's failed clinical trials. His son Max, who was with him during the weekend when Zahau died, had also had a devastating accident that left him fighting for his life. It has been suggested that Shacknai hired someone to kill Zahau to send a message to his business partners or to get rid of any possible financial problems in case of a wrongful death lawsuit from his son.

"Down the Back Staircase" takes a closer look at the evidence that supports the various theories, including inconsistencies in Shacknai's account of events and the surprising revelation of a mysterious voicemail that Zahau received hours before her death. The episode also explores the Zahau family's belief that the San Diego Sheriff's office did not do a thorough investigation into her murder and that the suicide finding was politically motivated.

As the episode progresses, the multiple theories are examined, and tensions increase. The case cuts across multiple jurisdictions, and even the FBI gets involved. With the spotlight on this mysterious case, families and friends of the victim and the suspect are at each other's throats.

"Down the Back Staircase" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that delves into the complexities of human emotion and behavior. It raises important questions about the justice system and the role of power and money in the investigation of seemingly unsolvable cases. So, catch Dateline: Secrets Uncovered season 5 episode 2 to uncover the secrets behind the case of Rebecca Zahau, and to know if her death was a suicide or something more sinister.