Rebecca Zahau's Family Denies Dr. Phil Paying to Exhume Body

Mary Zahau-Loehner said the reports of Dr. Phil paying for the re-testing are false

While national media reports suggest talk show host Phil McGraw is paying for the exhumation of Coronado murder victim Rebecca Zahau, the woman's family says those reports are not true, however he has made a donation.

Homicide investigators concluded Rebecca Zahau, 32, killed herself July 13 - two days after boyfriend Jonah Shacknai's 6-year-old son, Max Shacknai, accidentally fell while under her watch.

A multi-millionaire, Jonah Shacknai is the founder and CEO of Medicis, a pharmaceutical company based in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Max Shacknai died July 17, almost a week after suffering serious injuries in a fall down the stairs at the historic mansion.

Rebecca Zahau’s family believes they have not been given all the information and want an independent investigation from the State Attorney General’s office.

Late Monday, reports surfaced claiming McGraw, would be paying to have Zahau's body exhumed from her Missouri grave and re-tested for evidence of foul play.  RadarOnline.com reported McGraw would release the results on his television show in November.

However, Rebecca's sister Mary Zahau-Loehner told NBCSanDiego early Tuesday that the reports are inaccurate. The family is paying for the exhumation out of a donation fund, but that McGraw did make a donation to that fund.

Zahau-Loehner, has appeared on NBC Today with Anne Curry to discuss the San Diego County Sheriff's Department investigation into her sister's death.

She released the following statement:

I want to thank for all the support and donation we have received. Due to the generosity of the public, we will be able to proceed with exhumation of Becky to find the truth of her death. Dr Wecht has been kind and generous to help us with an independent autopsy.

We would appreciate further donations and support in anyway. The venture of Justice for Rebecca is going to be long and challenging. This is only the beginning of that journey and it is possible due to the tremendous support and generosity of the public, experts, news media, and our attorney Anne Bremnar.

Donation is accepted at www.RebeccaZahauFund.com

NBCSanDiego.com is also reaching out to the family's attorney Anne Bremner.  

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