Mexico City  - Silvia Raquenel Villanueva, a Mexican lawyer known for defending high-profile suspects accused of drug-related crimes, was killed Sunday in the northern Mexican city of Monterrey.

Authorities said the woman was shot and killed by three gunmen in a shopping mall.

The controversial lawyer had survived four previous attempts on her life.

Villanueva represented high-profile suspects involved in the case against Juan Garcia Abrego, the founder and kingpin of the Gulf cocaine cartel. (dpa)