Heartbreak in Times Square: The Tragic Fate of Erin Piacenti

The Bank of America executive randomly slain near Times Square was “preparing to build a life” with her husband and 5-month-old daughter, her family revealed in a heartbreaking statement Wednesday.

Relatives of Erin Piacenti, 32, said they were “devastated” by her unprovoked stabbing death Monday — her first day back at work after maternity leave — and asked for privacy, according to the statement.

“Becoming a mother was Erin’s lifelong ambition, and Madison gave her the greatest possible joy,” states a GoFundMe page that the family directed wellwishers to in order to raise money for her 5-month-old daughter’s future.

“Erin’s life was defined not by the circumstances of her death, but instead by the way she lived,” the page reads. 

“Erin was deeply devoted to her family and friends, exceptionally bright and accomplished, and was someone who brought warmth and energy to the people around her.”

Piacenti, a University of Pennsylvania and Fordham University School of Law graduate, was randomly knifed by Pamela Cisneros, 49, a Queens mom-of-three who long battled mental illness.

Cisneros – who also seriously wounded Tak Kam, a 68-year-old Rhode Island dad – was dramatically shot and killed as she tried to charge NYPD cops while clutching a knife in each hand.

The senseless attack cut short Piacenti’s promising future.

Erin Guiltinan – her maiden name – married the love of her life, Frank Piacenti, on Aug. 10, 2024 after the pair attended Fordham Law together and shot up the corporate and legal ladders.

“Erin and Frank celebrated their second wedding anniversary this summer, had just returned from a family road trip upon her passing, and were preparing to build a life together with their new daughter,” the fundraiser states. 

“That life changed incomprehensibly in an instant.”

The family added, “Erin’s career accomplishments .. speak to only a small portion of who she was. 

“To the people who knew and loved her, Erin was a thoughtful daughter and sister, a loyal friend, a devoted partner and companion in every aspect of Frank’s life, and, most recently, an incredibly loving mother to Madison.”

The lovebirds had bought a dream home — a 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom modern build house in leafy Chester, New Jersey — in September 2025, property records show.

“She was here with her husband for paint for their new house,” said Carla, a 20-year resident of Chester and employee at paint and window treatment store “Paintpourri” in the center of town.

“So sad. That they were married two years ago. The baby. When we heard we looked it up in our system and we were like, yep he’s a customer,” she told The Post on Wednesday.

“The system failed them. That woman should have been committed,” she said of Cisneros.

The tragedy also shocked Piacenti’s co-workers at Bank of America, where she had worked for the last  18 months as a vice president in the business-selection-and-conflicts team.

“She was a beautiful young lady, very sharp,” said one woman outside the bank’s offices near Bryant Park, who worked on Piacenti’s floor.

“It’s very sad, very sad, we are grieving. We all have our heads down – everybody.”

Another worker, who didn’t know Piacenti, said of herself and other employees: “People are talking about it, how terrible it is and you have to stay alert at all times.”

“You can feel the heaviness in the air.”

Garden State residents agreed.

Amy M, 37, a pilates instructor who moved to Chester from the Upper West Side with her husband and daughter during the COVID-19 pandemic, said it seemed like “The city is getting so dangerous.”

“My husband walks through Time Square twice a day. It could have easily been him,” she said while picking up hot bagels at the Chester Bagel & Deli. 

“It’s terrifying. You get used to crazy people yelling on the street. You tense up and walk a little faster but you kind of get used to it.”

Beth, a 71-year-old local business owner who grew up in nearby Morristown, called the attacks “terrible.”

“It’s a nightmare,” she said. “It seems like everyday someone’s getting shot or stabbed in Times Square now.”

More than $180,000 out of a $250,000 goal has been donated to the fundraiser as of Wednesday evening.