Erin Piacenti had just completed her first day back at work after five months of maternity leave. The 32-year-old new mother never made it home to her husband and baby girl.

Piacenti, a vice president at Bank of America, was walking through Times Square on Monday afternoon when police say a knife-wielding woman stabbed her in the abdomen without warning. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died from her injuries.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the attack as “random and unprovoked.”

“One life, cut far too short by a senseless act of violence,” Tisch said.

Piacenti’s death came during what should have been one of the happiest seasons of her life. She and her husband, Frank, had welcomed their first child approximately five months earlier and recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary.

Just four days before the attack, Piacenti reportedly shared a photograph of herself smiling beside her husband while holding their infant daughter. In the post, she expressed gratitude for the months she had spent caring for her baby. She also shared that her daughter had recently been baptized and reflected on family trips to Long Beach Island, Maine and Rhode Island.

Piacenti and her husband met while attending Fordham University School of Law and graduated together in 2021. Before joining Bank of America, she worked as a legal intern for Major League Baseball and as an associate at the prominent law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell.

Fordham Law remembered her as much more than an accomplished graduate.

“Erin was a vibrant and cherished member of the Fordham Law family,” the school’s dean wrote in a message to alumni. “During her time at Fordham, she distinguished herself through her academic devotion, sharp legal mind, warmth and generosity to her peers.”

Her colleagues at Bank of America were also left reeling from the loss.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” the company said. “She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones.”

Police identified the alleged attacker as 49-year-old Pamela Cisneros. Moments before stabbing Piacenti, authorities say Cisneros attacked 68-year-old Tak Kam, who was visiting his son and preparing to return home to Rhode Island. Kam suffered serious injuries but is expected to recover.

Officers confronted Cisneros nearby and repeatedly ordered her to drop two knives. Tisch said Cisneros refused, threatened to kill the officers and advanced toward them. Police attempted to use a Taser before fatally shooting her. Authorities said she had no arrest record but had a documented history of mental health struggles.

Investigators are now reviewing the entire incident, but for those who loved Piacenti, no investigation can restore what was taken. A husband is grieving his wife, a baby girl will grow up without her mother, and a family that had been celebrating new life is now facing unimaginable loss.

Lord, draw near to Erin’s husband, daughter and loved ones. Comfort them in their grief, bring healing to the surviving victim and protect those who feel afraid in the wake of this tragedy. Amen.