Police say nephew arrested for stabbing death of longtime SF public defender

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Police arrested 20-year-old Angelo Zamora, the nephew of a prominent San Francisco attorney, Marla Zamora, in connection to her stabbing murder.

The longtime former public defender was found stabbed to death in her home on Friday morning. Police sources say Zamora was stabbed multiple times. Angelo Zamora was found inside and covered in blood.

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Friends say they believe Zamora was trying to help the family member when she was killed.

Maria Evangelista tearfully remembers her friend Zamora. "She was a force of nature," she said.

The women worked together at the San Francisco public defender's office until Zamora retired in 2007.

"For me particularly she was the only role model I had as a Latino woman in the public defender's office, but she took me under her wing," shared Evangelista.

There are few details about what happened, but neighbors say they heard yelling and then saw Zamora bloody in the backyard after being stabbed.

"All I can say is she loved her family very much and she was always trying to help her family," said Janet Planels, a friend of Zamora.

All day, friends, former clients and co-workers stopped by Zamora's house to pay respects to the longtime attorney outside her Potrero Hill home.

Gail Neira added to the growing pile of flowers. "She was kind and generous. She was a good neighbor," she said.

Zamora worked for the public defender's office for 29 years. She set up a private practice and was still taking cases until her death.