Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old Bank of America executive, was fatally attacked in Times Square shortly after returning to work from maternity leave, according to reports and posts shared online.

A University of Pennsylvania and Fordham Law School graduate from Chester, New Jersey, Piacenti had recently celebrated several joyful milestones with her family.

Just four days before her death, she shared a photograph of herself smiling while holding her infant daughter alongside her husband, Frank. In the post, she expressed gratitude for having spent five months at home caring for her newborn.

The family had also recently celebrated their daughter’s baptism and marked their second wedding anniversary. They had enjoyed trips together to places including Long Beach, New Jersey, Maine and Rhode Island.

Her grandmother remembered Piacenti as a “beautiful, beautiful girl,” reflecting the profound loss felt by those who knew her.

Piacenti had built an accomplished career after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and later earning her law degree from Fordham Law School. She eventually joined Bank of America, where colleagues described her as a valued member of the team.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our colleague,” Bank of America said in a statement. “She was a valued teammate who will be greatly missed. Our hearts go out to her family and all of her loved ones.”

Fordham Law School also expressed its sorrow, remembering Piacenti and her husband as cherished members of its community. The school said it was heartbroken by the loss and extended its sympathy to her husband, family and friends.

Authorities said Piacenti was fatally injured during an apparently random and unprovoked incident near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan.

Another person was also injured in the incident. Police later confronted the woman believed to be responsible, Pamela Cisneros, 49, who was subsequently killed by officers.

The tragedy has left Piacenti’s family, colleagues and friends mourning a young mother whose life had been filled with family milestones, professional achievements and plans for the future.

Her death comes just days after she had returned to her career following one of the happiest chapters of her life: becoming a mother.