The family of Pamela Cisneros Lopez says there were few signs she was approaching a crisis before she allegedly stabbed two strangers in Times Square, killing Bank of America executive Erin Piacenti. Lopez’s brother, Patrick Peralta, claimed the 49-year-old had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder approximately a decade earlier and previously attempted suicide. However, he said she appeared to have stabilized in recent years and had never been violent. The attack killed Piacenti, a 32-year-old new mother who had just returned from maternity leave. A second victim, 68-year-old father Tak Kam, was seriously injured.
Peralta spoke to the Daily Mail from the family’s home in Jackson Heights, Queens, where relatives had gathered after learning about the attack. He described Lopez as the youngest of six children in a close family whose parents immigrated from Ecuador during the 1970s.
According to Peralta, his sister worked in human resources and attended church daily. He claimed Lopez developed postpartum depression following the birth of her second child and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder approximately 10 years later.
One of her three daughters is non-verbal and has severe autism. Peralta said the woman lives in a Brooklyn care home. Lopez’s other two daughters had reportedly been living in Florida with their father and were estranged from their mother for years. “I think she felt like she hadn’t accomplished anything with her life because she was at home with the kids,” Peralta told the Daily Mail.
Lopez was also reportedly going through an extended divorce, although Peralta did not know whether it had been finalized. “There was a lot of back and forth” with her estranged husband, he said.
Attacker Previously Attempted Suicide, According To Her Family
Peralta claimed his sister’s mental health reached a crisis point in March 2019 when she attempted to take her own life at Jamaica station. “She threw herself on the train tracks at Jamaica station,” he said. “Somebody pulled her off the tracks.”
According to her brother, Lopez suffered an ankle injury and required stitches in her head following the incident. Peralta said she subsequently began receiving treatment for bipolar disorder and appeared to be doing well for approximately six years.
Lopez had reportedly been caring for her mother following three heart surgeries. She also organized a large party celebrating her father’s birthday on August 8. “She seemed good, she seemed fine,” Peralta recalled.
The final time he saw his sister, Peralta said she did not display any behavior suggesting that a violent incident was approaching.
Family Noticed One Change Before The Times Square Attack
Although Lopez appeared stable to her relatives, Peralta said one change emerged during the week before the stabbing. She lived alone in Woodside but usually visited her mother’s house for dinner every evening. According to Peralta, Lopez stopped attending those dinners approximately one week before the attack. She was also supposed to be working on the day of the stabbing.
Peralta recognized his sister while watching news footage of the Times Square incident and contacted the police. “It was the worst thing I have ever watched,” he told the Daily Mail. “I had a premonition that it was her and called the police.”
He questioned whether Lopez wanted officers to kill her, but his comments represented his personal interpretation rather than an official determination about her motives. “I don’t know what was going through her head, but I think she wanted to get shot,” he said. “I don’t know where the rage came from. I was in shock because she was never violent. I’m still numb.”
“She seemed normal the last time I saw her, there were no signs that something like this could happen,” he added. “She was taking medication, she gave herself injections every month. Maybe she didn’t take the last one and started going off track after that.”
Authorities have not publicly established whether Lopez missed any medication or whether her mental health history directly contributed to the attack.
Police Shot Pamela Cisneros Lopez After Two Stabbings
The violence unfolded at approximately 4:30 p.m. Monday in Times Square. Authorities said Lopez stabbed Piacenti in the stomach before attacking Kam, a 68-year-old father from Rhode Island.
Video recorded after the initial attack appeared to show Lopez wearing a pink shirt and carrying two kitchen knives while police attempted to stop her. Officers first used a Taser and then fired their weapons, killing Lopez.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani thanked the responding officers for preventing additional violence. “I want to thank the NYPD officers who stepped in and prevented a horrific attack from becoming even worse,” he said during a news conference.
Kam was hospitalized following the stabbing. His current condition was not specified beyond reports that he was recovering.
Erin Piacenti Had Just Returned From Maternity Leave
Piacenti was reportedly walking home after completing her first day back at Bank of America following five months of maternity leave. The executive had recently welcomed her daughter, Madison, with her husband, Frank. The couple celebrated their second wedding anniversary during the summer after marrying in August 2024. Piacenti worked as a vice president in Bank of America’s business selection and conflicts unit.
Photographs shared through a fundraiser showed her smiling while holding Madison beside her husband. Bank of America mourned its employee in a statement following her death. “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.”
The fundraiser was established to support Madison’s future and help preserve her mother’s memory.
