Seaside man gets 20 years in prison for killing mom and stabbing brother

UPDATE: 4/13/2018 4:50 p.m. A Seaside man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for stabbing his mother to death and attempting to kill his brother.

The incident occurred on December 10, 2016. 28-year-old Andrew Zapanta was under the influence of of methamphetamine when he started arguing with his mom and brother inside their Seaside home.

The argument turned violent when Zapanta grabbed two kitchen knives and threatened to slash his wrists.

During a struggle to get the knife Zapanta stabbed his mom in the heart. His brother was stabbed five times but was able to get out of the house.

In court, Zapanta’s wife, aunt and brother pleaded with the judge for leniency.

Zapanta stands convicted of three violent strike offenses and will spend 20 years in the state prison for the killing of his mother and attempted murder of his brother.

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3/14/2018 2:58 p.m. A Seaside man accused of killing his mom and stabbing his brother back in 2016 has admitted to those actions.

28-year-old Andrew Zapanta pleaded no contest to four counts of felony charges, including voluntary manslaughter, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting an officer.

According to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, on March 11, 2016, Zapanta was high on methamphetamine when he started arguing with his brother and mother at their Seaside home. The argument turned violent when Zapanta grabbed two kitchen knives and threatened to slash his wrists.

“He cut his left arm almost to the bone in the presence of his mother and brother, who intervened in an attempt to save Zapanta’s life,” said the DA’s Office.

As Zapanta’s mother and brother attempted to grab the knives he began swinging. Zapanta stabbed his mother once in the heart and she died inside the home. He then turned to his brother and stabbed him about 5 times before he could run to the neighbors house to call 911.

When police arrived, Zapanta was kneeling over his dead mother asking for help.

After the arrest, Zapanta said he was being watched on social media and questioned who committed the crime.

Authorities said at one point Zapanta admitted to stabbing his mother, but also asked medical personnel what had happened.

Zapanta’s brother pled with officers to spare Zapanta because he was “high” on drugs.

Zapanta is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12, 2018. He faces 20 years in state prison and stands convicted of three violent strike offenses.

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12/13/16 4:18 PM: Seaside Police have identified a homicide suspect arrested and accused of stabbing his mother to death on Sunday.

Investigators have charged Andrew Zapanta, 27, accused of killing his mom and stabbing his brother.

Officers said the incident happened on Paradise Cove Court in the Seaside Highlands neighborhood. The investigation is still ongoing and Zapanta is being held at the Monterey County Jail on $1 million bail.

PREVIOUS STORY: Seaside Police responded to a domestic dispute Sunday and found two people stabbed. One of the victims died at the scene.

Officers say they found a man and woman suffering from stab wounds on Paradise Cove Court in Seaside Highlands at about noon Sunday. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man was taken to a nearby hospital and is expected to survive.

A suspect is in custody.

This is an active homicide investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Seaside Police Department.