Family Shares History of Mental Health Struggles
The woman who died after a stabbing rampage in Times Square was a mother of three who battled persistent mental health issues, according to her brother, Patrick Peralta. Pamela Cisneros, 49, allegedly killed a Bank of America executive and wounded a visitor from Rhode Island on Monday afternoon. Law enforcement officials confirmed officers fatally shot Cisneros after she refused to drop two knives near a substation at West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue.
Peralta, 59, told reporters his sister had long struggled with a condition he believes to be bipolar disorder. He noted she had been receiving monthly injections for treatment and appeared stable as recently as Saturday. The sudden violence remains a shock to the family. Peralta had visited his sister earlier in August for a stepfather’s birthday celebration. He saw no signs of aggression during their last few interactions.
Pattern of Erratic Behavior and Prior Incidents
Public records and sources indicate Cisneros faced multiple challenges in recent years. In December 2018, police encountered a screaming, intoxicated Cisneros along Lexington Avenue. Months later, in March 2019, she attempted suicide by jumping in front of an E train in Queens. Her personal life also faced strain, with a divorce finalized in Florida in 2025. Records show she worked at a law firm assisting with immigration filings. A LinkedIn profile for a woman of the same name lists a graduation from Touro University in 2021.
Neighbors and family members described a woman who was kind and held a master’s degree in psychology. Yet, her social media activity revealed a darker shift in perspective. Posts from 2025 contained rambling reflections on religion and the state of humanity. One message warned of the biblical end times, citing a lack of love that led people to stab one another for no reason. This chilling language preceded the events in Manhattan by several months.
Investigation and Public Safety Implications
Police recovered two kitchen knives from a red Target bag carried by Cisneros. Investigators are now reviewing the timeline of her final days to determine if she stopped her medical treatment. The confrontation in Times Square was captured on video, showing officers attempting to use stun guns on her before opening fire when she continued to advance. The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of managing individuals with severe, untreated mental health conditions in a dense public space.
Erin Piacenti, the 32-year-old banking executive killed in the attack, was a mother who had just returned from maternity leave. The loss has triggered grief and renewed questions about safety in one of the city's most prominent tourist destinations. Authorities are still piecing together the events that led to the violence. Meanwhile, the family of Cisneros is left to reconcile the sister they knew with the events that occurred on Monday afternoon. The broader impact of this tragedy continues to affect both the victims' families and those involved in the city's public safety response.