Who was Edison Lopez? Manhattan building superintendent killed wife, two infant children in murder-suicide
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Edison Lopez, a long-serving superintendent of a New York City apartment building, killed himself in a horrifying murder-suicide that also claimed the lives of his wife and their two young children.
The grim discovery was made on Monday afternoon, August 28, in the family's fourth-floor residence, leaving neighbors and friends stunned by the unimaginable tragedy that unfolded behind closed doors.
Edison Lopez allegedly used multiple kitchen knives to stab his family
Lopez, 41, was a familiar face to the building's residents, having taken over his father's position as a superintendent. He had been regarded as a devoted family man, known for his calm demeanor and friendly interactions with neighbors. The victims of this gruesome incident were Alexandra Witek, 40, and their beloved sons, Lucian, 3, and Calvin, 1.
The father from the Upper West Side is thought to have fatally stabbed his longtime partner along with their two young sons before taking his own life in the very West 86th Street residence where he grew up. Despite the facade of a seemingly perfect family, the shockwaves reverberated when news broke of the gruesome murders and suicide.
Police said Lopez used multiple kitchen knives to stab his wife and their two young children. The trio's bodies were left near the front door of the apartment hallway while Lopez was discovered on his bed, with a lone wound to his neck. Police added that there were no prior 911 calls or reports of domestic incidents at the location.
What led Edison Lopez to kill his family?
While the motive for these unspeakable acts remains unclear, there were indications that Lopez had been struggling with an impending relocation. The apartment he sought in Hastings-on-Hudson, a Westchester County town, was not yet ready for occupancy, causing potential mental strain due to the timing of the move.
"It was a step up… Would you want to do that if you could move up to a bigger job with a bigger apartment? It's a natural thing… I talked to him about it, he was happy," said a friend.
Lopez and Alexandra had a history that extended back to their youth. They met as teenagers and, after going their separate ways, rekindled their connection later in life, ultimately building a family together. The couple was regarded as pillars of their community, two first-generation Americans who were dedicated to their sons and each other.
The tragedy has elicited an outpouring of grief and support from those who knew the family. A GoFundMe campaign was started in memory of Alexandra, aiming to assist her surviving family members during this difficult time. “A proud Polish mom, Ola shared her culture and language and made the lives of her boys bright and full,” the fundraiser said.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
