On October 6, 2011, thirty-six-year-old Joanna Hunter was found dead in her Vacaville, California home. Her husband, Pastor Mark Lewis, told police he found her after a tragic suicide. But when Solano County Sheriff's deputies cleared the scene and closed the investigation in just twenty-nine minutes, they ignored glaring forensic evidence, a packed suitcase, and a terrifying, documented history of escalating domestic violence.

In this episode of Crime Salad, Ricky and Ashley dive deep into the chilling timeline of Joanna's final hours. We expose the massive, unexplained gaps in Mark's alibi, the harrowing paper trail of restraining orders Joanna filed in her early twenties, and the psychological fortress Mark built around his wife after taking control of the Fellowship Baptist Church.

This is more than a true crime story about a botched police investigation. It is a story about a family's relentless pursuit of the truth. We discuss how Joanna's brother, Joe Hunter, and her mother, Patricia, refused to accept the official police narrative. Their fierce advocacy ultimately led to the passage of Joanna's Law (Senate Bill 989) in California, which fundamentally changes how law enforcement must investigate the suspicious deaths of domestic violence victims.

Joanna's case remains officially closed as a suicide, and her family needs your help to unlock a real homicide investigation. Tune in to hear the full timeline, the forensic red flags, and how you can take action today.

In this episode, we cover:

The timeline of Joanna’s escalating abuse and Mark Lewis's 1996 felony conviction.

The critical 45-minute gap in Mark's alibi on the night of October 6, 2011.

Why the Solano County Sheriff's Office cleared a potential homicide scene in 29 minutes.

Mark Lewis's 2015 "no contest" plea for stalking and firebombing.

The bureaucratic red tape keeping Joanna's death certificate labeled as a suicide.

How Joanna's Law (SB 989) is changing the justice system in California.

Take Action & Support Joanna’s Family:

Joanna's family is working tirelessly to have her death certificate amended from "suicide" to "homicide" or "undetermined." You can support their fight and learn more about the organizations helping victims of hidden homicides at the links below.

Alliance for HOPE International (The Justice Project): allianceforhope.com

Sacramento Regional Family Justice Center: hopethriveshere.org

Joanna’s Voice Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/p/Joannas-Voice-100068890904659/

48 Hours: Joe Hunter's Mission: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEZutwn6Dpo

Domestic Violence Resources:

If you or someone you know is navigating intimate partner violence, please know that you are not alone and help is available 24/7. It is completely free and confidential.

Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)

Text: Text the word "START" to 88788

Visit: thehotline.org

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Two deaths. Same mansion. Two days apart. In Part 2, we walk through the physical evidence in Rebecca Zahau's death: the knife, the gloves, the painted message, the balcony, the knots, the head injuries, and the tape residue almost no one talks about. We get into the independent investigation into Max Shacknai's fall led by his mother Dina, the 2018 civil trial that found Adam Shacknai responsible, the verdict that was later vacated, and what Rebecca's sister Mary is still fighting for today.

Adam Shacknai has consistently maintained his innocence and was never criminally charged. The 2018 civil verdict was vacated as part of a 2019 settlement. There was never a criminal trial related to Rebecca's death. Statements about specific individuals should be understood as allegations, opinions, or attributed claims from named sources.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Unraveling the Knots by Mary Zahau-Loehner (available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble)
• Death on Ocean Boulevard: Inside the Coronado Mansion Case by Caitlin Rother

Follow the family's fight: Justice for Rebecca M. Zahau (Facebook)

If you need support:

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 (US)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, available 24/7
• RAINN (sexual assault): 1-800-656-4673

This episode discusses suicide, the death of a child, and allegations of sexual assault. Please take care of yourself while listening.

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In July 2011, two people died at the same mansion in Coronado, California within a week. First, six-year-old Max Shacknai fell from a second-floor banister while in the care of his father's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau. Two days later, Rebecca was found hanging from a balcony at the Spreckels Mansion, naked, bound, and gagged. The San Diego Sheriff's Department called it a suicide. Rebecca's family has spent over a decade arguing it was something else entirely.

This is Part 1 of our two-part series on the death of Rebecca Zahau. Part 2 drops next week. Subscribe wherever you listen so you don't miss it.

CONTENT WARNING This episode discusses suicide, the death of a child, and allegations of sexual assault. Please take care of yourself while listening.

IF YOU NEED SUPPORT You are not alone. Help is available. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 1-800-799-7233, available 24/7 National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): call 1-800-656-4673

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A NOTE ON THIS CASE Adam Shacknai has consistently maintained his innocence and was never criminally charged in connection with this case. The 2018 civil verdict that found him liable for Rebecca's death was vacated as part of a 2019 settlement. Statements about specific individuals throughout this episode should be understood as allegations, opinions, or attributed claims from named sources, not as statements of fact by us.

Information in this episode is drawn from publicly available news reports, court records, autopsy reports, official statements, and books published about the case.

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