CORONADO, Calif., July 14 (UPI) -- A woman who died under mysterious circumstances at a San Diego-area mansion was found hanging by the neck from a balcony, investigators said Thursday.
The brother of the pharmaceutical executive who owns the historic Spreckels Mansion in Coronado made the discovery Wednesday morning and called 911 after cutting her down, San Diego County Sheriff's Capt. Tim Curran told reporters at a news conference.
Detectives have not yet officially determined if foul play or suicide was involved in the death of Rebecca Nalepa, 32; however, it was noted the woman was unclothed and her hands and feet were bound.
An autopsy was conducted Thursday to determine the cause of death and any other possible injuries. The death has been described by detectives as suspicious and violent, and officers Wednesday hauled away a wooden table with a missing leg.
Nalepa was the girlfriend of Jonah Shacknai, the founder and chief executive officer of Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp., an Arizona company that specializes in dermatology products. His adult brother, Adam, discovered Nalepa and phoned police.
Jonah Shacknai was apparently not in the house when Nalepa was found, Curran said. He had been spending considerable time at a San Diego hospital where his 6-year-old son was recovering from an apparently unrelated tumble down a staircase.
Curran said there was no evidence someone outside the home was involved in the death and had not identified any suspects.
