A 32-year-old Bank of America executive, Erin Piacenti, was tragically killed in a random and unprovoked stabbing incident in Times Square on 31st August. This abrupt and shocking event occurred as she returned to work after maternity leave, leaving behind her husband Frank and their five-month-old daughter, Madison.
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To honour Erin’s memory and support her daughter, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched, which has raised over $500,000 since it started. The campaign aims to collect $750,000 to help secure a future for Madison. The fundraising page was created to enable Erin’s family, friends, and anyone touched by her story to contribute towards her daughter’s care, as Erin was deeply devoted to motherhood and cherished her baby more than anything.
In a statement provided to the media, a family spokesperson expressed their devastation at Erin’s senseless loss and requested privacy during this painful time. The spokesperson remarked, “The Piacenti and Guiltinan families are heartbroken and are grateful for the overwhelming support they have received.” The statement highlighted that they had established the GoFundMe account to support Madison in her upbringing, ensuring she grows up surrounded by the love and memories of her mother.
Erin and her husband, Frank, had recently transitioned from their apartment in New York City’s Upper East Side to a home in Chester, New Jersey, approximately 40 miles from the city. They had been preparing for a new chapter of life with their daughter after meeting at Fordham Law School, where both pursued careers in law.
The GoFundMe page pays tribute to Erin and emphasises her lifelong dream of becoming a mother. Just days prior to her death, a joyful photo of Erin with Madison and Frank was shared on Instagram, showcasing a family enjoying a memorable summer before Erin’s return to the office. Friends and family remember her as an exceptionally bright and accomplished individual who brought warmth and energy wherever she went.
Erin’s life was cut short at around 4:30 p.m., just moments after another victim, 68-year-old Tak Kam, was also attacked. Kam was in New York visiting his son and is expected to recover after being taken to Bellevue Hospital. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) swiftly apprehended the assailant, Pamela Cisneros, aged 49, shortly after she attacked Erin.
Cisneros was reported to have two knives in her possession; officers directed her to drop them. When she refused and instead charged at the police, they shot her dead at the scene. Although Cisneros had no prior arrests, the NYPD revealed she had a documented mental health history, including incidents in 2019 related to public intoxication and another involving a possible suicide attempt in 2020.
The NYPD Force Investigation Division is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the police shooting as well as the stabbings. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting contemporary concerns regarding public safety and mental health.
As the city mourns Erin’s untimely death, the GoFundMe initiative continues to receive contributions from numerous individuals wishing to assist Madison as she grows up knowing the remarkable life and love of her mother. The campaign not only serves as a financial support mechanism but also stands as a testament to the profound impact Erin had on those around her.