Of Myth and Mercy

Two dead. 3 arrested. Wrongful convictions, perpetual perjury, repeatedly recanted testimony, a botched execution, jailhouse snitches, framed suspects, corrupt legal teams, and worse. 2 law enforcement officers are dead and 3 people are pointing fingers elsewhere. This is the story of Sonia 'Sunny' Jacobs and Jesse Tafero. This is the story of how Florida murdered a man they shouldn't have.

Mark William Hoffman never came across as a legend in the making as a pre-teen, collecting coins and attending Mormon church with his devout parents. He went on his mission and when he returned to become a pre-med student, got married, had 4 kids, and was an excellent father. His skills in hunting down valuable historical documents were unbelievable; and they shouldn't have been believed. The Kafka-esque story of master forger, secret-apostate, and eventual mail-bomb murderer's fate is almost as unbelievable as the criminal life he once lived. 

Two tragedies shrouded in too many questions and too much mystery: Rebecca Zahau and Max Shacknai died 3 days apart of wildly different causes of death, or did they? Max was only 6-years-old when he ended up in a coma after he fell from the 2nd story, landing in the center of a grand staircase at his father's lavish mansion. An accident, officials rule. But how did the boy manage to clear a 3-foot banister before bringing a palatial chandelier down with him? Did he really stumble over the family dog to his fate or was something more sinister at work?A Complicated WebHot on the heels of the now comatose Maxfield's accident, his wealthy father's girlfriend, 32-year-old Rebecca, appeared to have taken her own life by hanging herself from the balcony outside of her second-story bedroom. Only two days since emergency services had been at the expansive mansion to save a child, they returned to investigate a possible suicide. Assuming it was suicide, the details and way she committed the act was extremely unusual and suspicious to many.Suspicious CircumstancesRebecca had been the only adult home when Max was injured and just received news Max was not likely to survive, let alone recover, from the injuries he'd sustained. With evidence showing Rebecca may have been in a depressive state already, was the added stress what pushed her over the edge? And what if it wasn't stress she was overcome with ? what if it was guilt or even regret?Or Is It Really Cut-And-Dry?Or are the people who believe Rebecca was murdered after being blamed for Max's fall -- whether she actually was involved or not ? and the crime was covered up as a suicide by cops paid off by the rich business tycoon Jonah Shacknai who'd been Rebecca's boyfriend for 2+ years and was Max's father. Who is to blame, if anyone is to blame? I go over the series of events and curiosities surrounding a pair of too-close-for-comfort deaths in Coronado, California which raises questions like it's the end of the world tomorrow.Requested by Linzi, one of the superhuman hosts from the 33% Pulp podcast.A special double episode release after an extended and unplanned hiatus.PromosThis episode features promos from the Fiercely Altered Perspective Podcast  and the Wall Fly Podcast ? two amazing, enlightening podcasts I suggest y'all check out with a disclaimer: don't do anything requiring complete attention while listening to either podcast because not paying full focus to their great content is nigh impossible to do.——————————————TOLL-FREE CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBERSNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1(800) 273-8255 (online chat available)The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): 1(800)656-HOPE)The nation’s largest organization fighting sexual violence, RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. (For TTY services, call 1(800)810-7440)U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1(800)799-7233 (Eng. & Span.)They also have an online chat feature available. Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Highly trained, experienced advocates offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in over 170 languages. (For TTY services, call: 1(800)787-3224)

Two tragedies shrouded in too many questions and too much mystery: Rebecca Zahau and Max Shacknai died 3 days apart of wildly different causes of death, or did they? Max was only 6-years-old when he ended up in a coma after he fell from the 2nd story, landing in the center of a grand staircase at his father’s lavish mansion. An accident, officials rule. But how did the boy manage to clear a 3-foot banister before bringing a palatial chandelier down with him? Did he really stumble over the family dog to his fate or was something more sinister at work?A COMPLICATED WEBHot on the heels of the now comatose Maxfield’s accident, his wealthy father’s girlfriend, 32-year-old Rebecca, appeared to have taken her own life by hanging herself from the balcony outside of her second-story bedroom. Only two days since emergency services had been at the expansive mansion to save a child, they returned to investigate a possible suicide. Assuming it was suicide, the details and way she committed the act was extremely unusual and suspicious to many.SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCESRebecca had been the only adult home when Max was injured and just received news Max was not likely to survive, let alone recover, from the injuries he’d sustained. With evidence showing Rebecca may have been in a depressive state already, was the added stress what pushed her over the edge? And what if it wasn’t stress she was overcome with ? what if it was guilt or even regret?OR IS IT REALLY CUT-AND-DRY?Or are the people who believe Rebecca was murdered after being blamed for Max’s fall — whether she actually was involved or not ? and the crime was covered up as a suicide by cops paid off by the rich business tycoon Jonah Shacknai who’d been Rebecca’s boyfriend for 2+ years and was Max’s father. Who is to blame, if anyone is to blame? I go over the series of events and curiosities surrounding a pair of too-close-for-comfort deaths in Coronado, California which raises questions like it’s the end of the world tomorrow.Requested by Linzi, one of the superhuman hosts from THE 33% PULP PODCAST.A special double episode release after an extended and unplanned hiatus.PROMOSThis episode features promos from the FIERCELY ALTERED PERSPECTIVE PODCAST and the WALL FLY PODCAST ? two amazing, enlightening podcasts I suggest y’all check out with a disclaimer: don’t do anything requiring complete attention while listening to either podcast because not paying full focus to their great content is nigh impossible to do.————————————TOLL-FREE CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBERSNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1(800) 273-8255 (online chat available)The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): 1(800)656-HOPE)The nation’s largest organization fighting sexual violence, RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. (For TTY services, call 1(800)810-7440)U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1(800)799-7233 (Eng. & Span.)They also have an online chat feature available. Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Highly trained, experienced advocates offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in over 170 languages. (For TTY services, call: 1(800)787-3224)

THE LIFE OF THE FABULOUS MOOLAH.After overwhelming disapproval and dissent by the public at large at their goal of paying homage to the Fabulous Moolah with a bout at Wrestlemania in March 2018, the WWF conceded to popular opinion and changed their plans. Though she was technically a heel/villain, the outcry wasn’t about her as a wrestling. Taking advantage of her students isn’t the only abhorrent thing the First Goddess of the Squared Circle did to make herself genuinely and profoundly disliked.WHY A LEGENDARY, HALL OF FAME WRESTLER WAS PUT OVER BY PUBLIC OUTRAGEThe Fabulous Moolah sexually and financially exploited women and girls. She ruined countless lives even those who idolized her and pursued careers to imitate Moolah. She held the Women’s Wrestling Championship throne for a total of almost 30 years, and she wrestled alongside her best friend against wrestler Victoria in next to nothing in her mid-70s without fear.“I WANT MONEY! I WANT MOOLAH!”The story of a particularly influential wrestler whose reputation is polarizing, at best and at worst.The WWE nearly honored her legacy with a battle royal last month. But the public’s fury put over that notion. This episode is about the reasons behind all the genuine, real life heat for the acclaimed women’s wrestler, wrestling trainer, and the record holder for being the Divas champion in the WWE, first goddess of the squared circle, the Fabulous Moolah.Check out the MURDEROUS MINORS episode mentioned on this episode by clicking HERE.PROMOS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE:The M.A.U.L. PODCAST and TRUE CRIME ENTHUSIAST!TOLL-FREE CRISIS HOTLINE NUMBERSNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1(800) 273-8255 (online chat available)The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741Crisis Text Line is free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text from anywhere in the USA to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): 1(800)656-HOPE)The nation’s largest organization fighting sexual violence, RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice. (For TTY services, call 1(800)810-7440)U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1(800)799-7233 (Eng. & Span.)They also have an online chat feature available. Operating around the clock, seven days a week, confidential and free of cost, the National Domestic Violence Hotline provides lifesaving tools and immediate support to enable victims to find safety and live lives free of abuse. Highly trained, experienced advocates offer compassionate support, crisis intervention information and referral services in over 170 languages. (For TTY services, call: 1(800)787-3224)