On Tuesday evening, flowers and a teddy bear could be seen outside of the building where superintendent Edison Lopez killed his family before turning a knife on himself. Photo by @dannydalynyc
On Thursday, friends, family and neighbors gathered for a vigil outside of 328 West 86th Street, the building where Edison Lopez lived with his wife Alexandra (“Ola”) Witek and their two boys, Lucien (3) and Calvin (1). Following in his father’s footsteps, Edison worked as the building superintendent.
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On Monday, the family of four was discovered lifeless in their fourth floor apartment following an apparent murder-suicide carried out by Lopez.
Thursday’s vigil was organized by We All Really Matter (WARM), a Harlem-based nonprofit whose mission is to protect women from domestic violence while providing them with resources to get help.
“If you see something, say something. If you see a woman in distress, if you see children in distress … take the mother for a walk,” said Stephanie McGraw, the organization’s CEO, according to the NY Post.
But while various reports have indicated that Edison may have felt some stress due to a forthcoming apartment move and job change, no one – not his relatives, friends nor colleagues – saw any signs of violent behavior nor serious issues regarding his mental health.
“You look at them and you wouldn’t think anything. They went out every day with smiles on their faces,” a nearby doorman also told the Post.
Friends and relatives recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover legal and burial fees. All donations are going to Grace and Lukas Witek, Ola’s mother and brother. As of writing, the campaign has raised a bit over $83,000 (the original goal was $80,000).
My sincere condolences.