Jonah Shacknai and Ex-Wife Dina Shacknai Respond to Abuse Allegations

Broadcasters obtained police reports out of Arizona on Monday indicating the marriage of Jonah and Dina Shacknai, who announced their son's death Sunday, had moments of storminess and violence, with the one-time couple exchanging accusations of abuse.

The Shacknais, who have since divorced, responded late Monday by issuing their second joint statement in as many days, calling the response to the reports “a distraction from the most important concern of honoring our beautiful son.”

The message was released by prominent Los Angeles public relations firm Sitrick and Company, known for being engaged by clients who are facing media storms.

The statement reads:

“While our marriage did not work out as either of us had hoped, it did produce a wonderful son, Max, whom both of us loved very much. His loss is unimaginable. These police reports are not reflective of the totality or the precise details of the events during a difficult time in our marriage that we worked through together. The release of the records as we grieve Max’s recent loss pains us greatly, and we request that the privacy of our family be respected. The unfortunate attention to these records is a distraction from the most important concern of honoring our beautiful son, who lives on in both of our hearts.”

KGTV Channel 10 and KFMB Channel 8 reported that Paradise Valley police responded to the Shacknai home in the community northwest of Scottsdale between one and three times.

In one case, Dina Shacknai accused her then-husband of allowing his dog to attack her. In a 2009 letter, Jonah Shacknai told police his then-wife had assaulted him several times and that he'd suffered a broken finger during one of the incidents.

Jonah and Dina Shacknai, both part-time residents of Coronado, have faced numerous questions since their son, Max, 6 was injured in a July 11 fall at the historic Spreckels mansion.

Two days later Jonah Shacknai's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau, 32, died on the same property; she was found nude and bound by Jonah's brother Adam, who said he spotted her hanging from a second-floor balcony.

Coronado police said Monday that they are investigating the boy's fall; a sheriff's homicide unit is looking into Zahau's death. Her cause of death has yet to be announced, pending further forensic tests.

Detectives have served two search warrants at the mansion, owned by Jonah Shacknai, since Zahau's death. Investigators would not comment on whether warrants have been served at other locations. Dina Shacknai lives a few blocks from the Spreckels residence.