Mansion tied to 2 deaths within a week

SAN DIEGO -- The 6-year-old son and the 32-year-old girlfriend of a prominent pharmaceutical executive have each died in a span of less than a week, and both deaths were tied to his historic mansion on the San Diego Bay.

Max Shacknai died Sunday in a San Diego hospital, almost a week after falling down the stairs at the mansion, Medicis Pharmaceuticals Inc. chairman and chief executive Jonah Shacknai said in a statement along with ex-wife Dina Romano, the boy's mother.

His death came four days after Jonah Shacknai's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau, was found hanging from a balcony in the house, authorities said.

"With great sadness, Dina and I convey the tragic passing of our beloved son, Max (affectionately known as Maxie)," the statement issued through Medicis Pharmaceuticals said. "Despite heroic efforts on the part of paramedics and hospital staff, he was unable to recover from the injuries suffered early last week."

Max fell down stairs at the Spreckels mansion in Coronado on July 11 in what police called a tragic accident. He was not breathing and did not have a pulse when paramedics found him and took him to Rady Children's hospital. He was being cared for by Zahau, who was in the home with another woman police would not identify.

On Wednesday, Zahau was found dead, officials said, hanging nude from a balcony, her hands and feet bound.

Shacknai's brother, Adam, who was staying in the mansion guesthouse, called to report that Zahau appeared to be dead, police said. Jonah Shacknai was not at home.

Investigators had identified her as Rebecca Nalepa, but she had changed her name in May to Zahau after a divorce.

Sheriff's Capt. Tim Curran called Zahau's death "very bizarre." Sheriff's investigators said they have not established any connection between the two deaths, and have not determined whether Zahau was a crime victim. They said they have not ruled out suicide.

The 27-room Spreckels mansion was built in 1908 in Coronado, the wealthy seaside suburb of about 24,000 people on San Diego Bay.

Jonah Shacknai, 54, founded Medicis, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has been chairman and chief executive since 1988.