CORONADO, Calif. (CBS 8) - Attorneys representing the family of Rebecca Zahau will travel to San Diego next week to meet with Sheriff Bill Gore.
The legal team of Anne Bremner and Martin Rudoy plan to discuss what they consider new evidence in Zahau's death at the Spreckels mansion in Coronado. Rudoy said they will ask Sheriff Gore to reopen the case.
Bremner and Sheriff Gore both have appeared on national broadcast media in recent days; Gore to defend his department's determination that Zahau committed suicide; Bremner to argue that an independent review is warranted.
The results of a second autopsy on Zahau's body were presented on the Dr. Phil Show last week. On the program, forensic pathologist, Dr. Cyril Wecht, announced that he was leaning "very strongly toward it being a homicide." Bremner told the television talk show host, "It's a case that just cries out for answers and investigation."
Zahau's sister, Mary Zahau-Loehner, said she had lost trust in the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
"I would prefer that they not touch my sister's case at all anymore," said Zahau-Loehner during her appearance on Dr. Phil.
Friday on CNN, Sheriff Gore said the case remained closed.
"Should any new information be brought to our attention, we would be happy to examine it, and if necessary, re-open the case," said Gore. "So far, the family or the lawyers for the family have brought nothing new to our attention."
Attorney Rudoy, of Los Angeles, said the meeting has been in the works for a few days, and that both sides agreed to wait until after the Thanksgiving holiday. Rudoy said Bremner will fly down from Seattle for the meeting, which is currently set for Wednesday.
Zahau and her boyfriend, Arizona pharmaceutical tycoon Jonah Shacknai, spent summer months at the Ocean Blvd. mansion in Coronado. On July 11, Shacknai's 6-year-old son suffered grave injuries in a fall down the staircase while under Zahau's care.
Sheriff's detectives believe Zahau hanged herself July 13, hours after receiving a voicemail message from Shacknai informing her that the boy would not survive.
Jonah's brother, Adam Shacknai, called 911 at 6:45 a.m. and reported that he had found Zahau nude, bound, gagged and hanging from a second-story balcony.
Sheriff Gore appeared Friday on CNN's 'Out Front' program
