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Genres
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CastDan NachtrabJason BenjaminCindy Copeland
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DirectorBryan Gildner
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Release Date2019
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Runtime2 hr
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LanguageEnglish
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IMDB Rating7.8 (57)
Rebecca Zahau: An ID Murder Mystery is an enthralling true crime documentary that unravels the mysterious death of Rebecca Zahau. The case garnered widespread media attention when Rebecca was found dead at the Spreckels Mansion in Coronado, California, in 2011. This ID Murder Mystery delves deep into the circumstances leading up to Rebecca's death and explores the various theories surrounding the case.
The documentary kicks off by providing a detailed background of Rebecca Zahau. Raised in Myanmar, Rebecca was an adroit and artistic woman who immigrated to the United States as a young adult. She built a successful career and was known for her outgoing personality, kind heart, and passion for travel. The documentary then leads up to the events that took place at the Spreckels Mansion on July 13, 2011, the day that changed the course of Rebecca's life.
The documentary is set against the backdrop of the Spreckels Mansion, a lavish estate owned by pharmaceutical CEO, Jonah Shacknai. The mansion played a central role in Rebecca's story as she was dating Jonah when she died. On the day of her death, Rebecca was discovered hanging from the balcony of the mansion's guesthouse. Police ruled her death as a suicide, concluding that Rebecca had taken her own life because of the recent deaths of Jonah's son, Max, and her association with them.
However, the ruling did not bring closure to the case, and soon after, Rebecca's family and friends began to suspect foul play. The documentary delves into the various theories surrounding Rebecca's death, analyzing each one in detail. One theory is that the wealthy tycoon, Shacknai, who had previously divorced two wives, might have played a role in Rebecca's death. Some believe that Shacknai was jealous of the attention that Rebecca was giving to Jonah's son, Max. Others speculate that Jonah was involved as he was the one who discovered Rebecca's body and called the police.
The documentary also probes into the possibility that Rebecca's death was the result of a panicky 911 call. In fact, Rebecca's death happened shortly after Jonah received a disturbing phone call related to the condition of his son, Max. The caller was Rebecca, who had been taking care of Max when he fell down the stairs, eventually succumbing to his injuries. The family did not believe this theory and fought to prove that Rebecca was murdered.
As the documentary progresses, the audience is provided with a glimpse into the evidence, including the fact that Rebecca had been cut and tied up before she died. DNA analysis also reveals that there was an unknown male contributor in Rebecca's fingernail scrapings. With this evidence, Rebecca's family began to fight for justice, starting with a wrongful death lawsuit, in which an expert witness testified that the theory of suicide was improbable.
Rebecca Zahau: An ID Murder Mystery tackles the case from various angles and provides an in-depth analysis of the evidence. It also features interviews with Rebecca's family and friends, as well as forensic experts, private investigators, and journalists who have followed the case since the beginning.
The documentary leaves the audience grappling with questions: Was Rebecca's death a suicide or murder? Was it a crime of passion, or was Rebecca caught in something more sinister? The film's ending does not provide any definitive answers, allowing viewers to assess the evidence for themselves and make their conclusions.
Overall, Rebecca Zahau: An ID Murder Mystery is a gripping documentary that will appeal to true crime enthusiasts. It provides rare insight into one of the most perplexing and controversial cases of recent years, allowing viewers to probe beyond the surface-level facts presented by popular media. The documentary encourages the audience to look deeper by presenting all sides of the story, thereby allowing them to form their own conclusions.
Rebecca Zahau: An ID Murder Mystery is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.