The discovery of a woman’s body on a Camp Pendleton beach, north of San Diego, initially led investigators to believe they had found a teenager, such was her youthful appearance. However, the remains were identified as Anneka Vasta, a 58-year-old former model and actress, once celebrated as the 1975 Penthouse Pet of the Year. Vasta, known professionally as Anneka Di Lorenzo in her modeling days, was found in a restricted area of the Marine Corps base with fatal neck and back injuries. Authorities are currently grappling with a perplexing question: was her death a suicide, a tragic accident, or a case of foul play?
This incident adds another layer of sorrow to Vasta’s already turbulent life. Her reign as Pet of the Year propelled her into the limelight, leading to roles in films like Caligula and a high-profile relationship with Penthouse publisher Bob Guccione. However, this relationship soured, culminating in a contentious sexual harassment lawsuit. Later in life, Vasta transitioned into a nursing assistant role, known for her sociable nature, sometimes to a fault, according to family. She also battled mental health issues, including paranoia, and was prescribed medication, although a post-mortem examination revealed no drugs in her system at the time of her death.
Investigators have pieced together that Vasta’s car was parked at a scenic overlook atop 60-foot cliffs. Her body, however, was located on the rocky beach about a mile to the south. Crucially, officials have stated that if Vasta had jumped or fallen from the cliffs, she would not have landed in the water due to the low tide. Navy special agent Rachel McGranaghan, in a statement to the San Diego Union-Tribune, highlighted the central mystery: “The main unanswered question that we have is how she got from her vehicle to the water…We know her life ended in the water, in some circumstance, we just don’t know how.”
Adding to the intrigue, Vasta had rented a room at a Motel 6 two days prior to her body being found on January 2nd, though there is no evidence she ever occupied it. A search of her 2001 Mazda 626 sedan uncovered disturbing clues. A leopard-print blouse and a sports bra, both stained with blood, were discovered inside a plastic bag, believed to be an ice bucket liner from the Motel 6. A steak knife, also bearing Vasta’s blood, was found on the passenger side floor. While there were superficial cuts on Vasta’s wrist, they were not deep enough to be fatal.
Vasta’s family firmly rejects the suicide theory. Her sister, Susan Thoreson, emphasized Vasta’s close relationship with her college-going daughter, with whom she spoke daily, stating she believes Vasta would not have taken her own life. Instead, they suspect foul play, suggesting someone may have taken advantage of Vasta’s vulnerabilities. As Thoreson poignantly told the Union-Tribune, “I think something happened when Anneka couldn’t maybe fend for herself.” The investigation into the death of the former Penthouse Pet Of The Year remains ongoing, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and a profound sense of tragedy.
