DR. PHIL Reveals Findings of Independent Autopsy Report in the Mysterious Death of Rebecca Zahau


HOLLYWOOD, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 11, 2011) - Findings of the independent autopsy performed on Rebecca Zahau, following her family's call for an exhumation and subsequent autopsy, will be revealed and examined in a special two-part DR. PHIL airing this Monday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 15 (check local listings). These episodes will feature members of the Zahau family -- Rebecca's sister Mary and her husband Doug -- as well as renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht who will detail the results of his autopsy performed late last month.

Zahau's body was found nude and hanging from a balcony on July 14 at the home of her boyfriend, pharmaceutical tycoon Jonah Shacknai. After a seven week investigation, which included an autopsy, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department ruled Zahau's death as a suicide -- something her family has never accepted.

Two days before Zahau's body was discovered, another tragedy took place on the grounds of the house when Shacknai's six-year-old son Max reportedly fell over a staircase and died five days later from his injuries.

"There is nothing beyond possibility if somebody really wants to do something, but knowing my sister, there is no way that she would go in this manner," Zahau's sister Mary told Dr. Phil. She continues, "As soon as I found out that she was naked and she was bound, it confirmed my fear that she did not commit suicide. She was murdered."

Mary also claims that Rebecca did not hold herself responsible for Max's accident which would dispel the theory she was so distraught over that incident, it caused her to kill herself.

Zahau's family contacted Dr. Wecht who has 50 years of experience as a forensic pathologist, having examined such high profile cases as John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, JonBenet Ramsey and Anna Nicole Smith. Having completed the second autopsy at the end of October, Wecht details the findings in his report and shares his medical opinion, as the family hears these results -- along with shocking new details -- for the first time.

Regarding the previous autopsy, Dr. Wecht says, "I have no criticism of the actual physical performance of the post mortem examinations. It's the findings that were there -- and some that were not there -- that puzzle me."

"The family wants answers," said Dr. Phil. "If it's a suicide, they'll wrap their minds and hearts around that and begin the healing process. If it's not, they want the person responsible for Rebecca's death brought to justice."

Also appearing on the broadcast are Zahau family attorney Ann Bremner, and their private investigator Paul Ciolino.

The syndicated series, DR. PHIL, was created by Harpo Productions, and is produced by Peteski Productions in association with CBS Television Distribution. DR. PHIL is the new leader in syndicated daytime talk, a position it took following the departure of The Oprah Winfrey Show in May, 2011. Until then and since its inception in 2002, DR. PHIL consistently ranked #2 behind only Oprah. (Source: NSS Ranking Report)

Contact Information:

Contact:
Stacey Luchs
SVP, Communications
Dr. Phil
Phone: 323-956-3357
E-Mail: stacey.luchs@cbs.com

Louis DiCenzo
Director, Communications
Dr. Phil
Phone: 323-956-3405
E-Mail: louis.dicenzo@cbs.com