Zhao

The plaintiff in a slander action, Xi Zhao, appeals from a judgment of dismissal entered on an order striking her complaint under the anti-SLAPP statute, Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16 and from an order awarding costs. We reverse.

Factual Background

The complaint alleges that the defendant, Daniel Wong, falsely accused Xi Zhao of murdering his brother, Tai-Kin Wong, and forging his will. On December 31, 1992, Tai-Kin Wong, a molecular biologist, age 44, died suddenly of unexplained causes. Before his death, he was romantically linked with Xi Zhao, a molecular biologist employed at Stanford University. They had lived together for about three years and were the cofounders and sole shareholders of a genetic engineering firm, Transgenic Technologies, Inc., which possessed valuable patents for the genetic engineering of laboratory animals.

About 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Tai-Kin collapsed in his office but managed to call 911. When paramedics arrived, he was confused and suffering from nausea and vomiting. Four hours later, he died in a hospital emergency room. The case was investigated by the Alameda County Coroner’s office which conducted an autopsy and an…