Pamela Cisneros had a turbulent history of mental illness, marked by postpartum depression and multiple hospitalizations. She attempted suicide once by jumping onto subway tracks. On Monday, Cisneros, 49, stabbed two strangers in Times Square, resulting in one death, before NYPD officers fatally shot her. Her brother, Patrick Peralta, expressed shock and disbelief, noting he had never seen her harm others before.
“I don’t know what was in her head,” Peralta shared. “I can’t tell you what she was thinking or if she completely went blank.” He held a photo of his sister, reflecting on happier times from their childhood.
Cisneros had posted her thoughts on Facebook, mentioning random stabbings as evidence of “end times.” She had experienced mental health issues for nearly two decades, starting after the birth of her second child. Her middle child, who is autistic, lives in a Brooklyn group home, and her other daughters reside with their father in Florida.
Seven years ago, Cisneros attempted suicide by jumping onto subway tracks, an act confirmed by police sources. She had also experienced other crises, including being disruptive in a hotel while drunk. Due to difficulties with medication, she received monthly injections, which seemed effective until recently.
“For the last six years, she was getting injections and nothing was wrong,” Peralta noted. “As long as she got the medication, she was fine.” However, it’s unclear whether she continued receiving the injections recently.
On Monday, Cisneros attacked a 68-year-old man and 32-year-old Erin Piacenti, both strangers. The police surrounded her near Times Square, using a Taser before shooting her as she advanced with knives. Peralta recognized his sister in news footage. He expressed sorrow for the victims, with regret that such an incident occurred.
Peralta reminisced about recent family interactions, recalling seeing Cisneros during their father’s birthday. “She was fine. Normal,” he said. Her mother last spoke to her days before the incident. The family remains devastated by the events and extends condolences to the affected families.