Medicis Shares Drop, Woman Found Dead at CEO’s Home

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (NYSE:MRX) shares dropped nearly 4% Thursday after a woman was found dead at the California home of chief executive Jonah Shacknai.

In what local police called suspicious circumstances, a woman described as Shacknais girlfriend was found Wednesday by police in the outdoor courtyard of the CEOs 27-room historic mansion, just two days after Shacknais 6-year-old son fell from a staircase in the house and was hospitalized, according to The Arizona Times.

The woman was pronounced dead shortly after police found her in distress. A San Diego sheriff said the incident was a "violent death", according to multiple media reports.

In a statement, Medicis said it is deeply saddened to learn of a tragic incident and asked for the familys privacy to be respected. The company declined further comment as police investigation continues.

Shacknai founded Medicis in 1988. The Arizona-based manufacturer of dermatological and aesthetic pharmaceutical products, such as acne drug, Solodyn, reported $700 million in revenues in 2010.