connection between the two incidents. >> reporter: the sheriff's department investigated for two months. coronado held its breath. then at a news conference, sheriff bill gore laid out the facts as his investigators saw them. >> was max's death a homicide? the answer is no. it was a tragic accident. was rebecca's death a homicide? again, the answer is no, it was a suicide. >> reporter: sergeant dave nemeth said the evidence told a sad tale, in which one tragedy led to another. when rebecca checked her voice mail just before 1:00 a.m., sergeant nemeth said she heard a grim message from her boyfriend, max's dad, jonah. >> that message that was left on her phone was to inform rebecca of maxi's grave condition and imminent death. >> reporter: did rebecca blame herself for the child's severe