Video: Police investigate South Seattle stabbing death

Larger screen

SEATTLE - King County prosecutors Monday filed a charge of first-degree murder against a 39-year-old man in the stabbing death of his ex-wife Sunday afternoon.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jose Angel Blanco, also known as Jose. A. Blanco Naranjo

The victim was 31-year-old Noemi Lopez, who divorced Blanco in 2007.

Police were called to Lopez's south Seattle home Sunday and found Lopez's body on the living room floor with multiple stab wounds.

Police say she lived at the home with her three children and Blanco frequently stayed at the house.

The victim was found Sunday afternoon by family members at the home in the 7600 block of 46th Avenue South.

KING

Family members say the fatal stabbing victim is seen dressed in black in this cell phone image. Nov. 30, 2008.

"I can't believe she's dead! I can't believe that," said a distraught Maria Lopez, the victim's mother.

The victim's sister, Elizabeth Lopez, said Noemi was a mother of three children, ages 6, 15 and 18. They say it was the children who returned home from church and discovered their mother's body in the house.

According to charging papers, Blanco was alone with the victim when the children left for church with their aunt. One of the daughters received a voicemail from her father saying he was sorry and that they should not enter the home when they got out of church.

KING

Family members say the fatal stabbing victim is seen dressed in black in this cell phone image. Nov. 30, 2008.

The documents say Blanco then called a cousin, telling him what happened. Blanco asked his cousin for phone numbers for relatives in Mexico.

Blanco is 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He may be driving a silver 2001 BMW with Washington license plate 732PPB. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Seattle Police or 911.

Family members said the victim worked as a medical assistant at Swedish Medical Center.

"She's beautiful. It's my daughter, she's a good mom... she works at the Westin Hotel, she works two jobs," said the mother. "She's a good mom, better than me maybe, she's the best one."

Family members say the woman's children will now be staying with relatives.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.