A 27-year-old woman was found dead in a Manhattan apartment, and police sources say the incident is being investigated as a case of domestic violence.
The grim discovery was made Sunday around 1:30 p.m. on West 156th Street, near Amsterdam Avenue in Washington Heights.
Neighbors told Telemundo 47 that she had lived there for at least two years and was quite reserved.
“It surprises me, because she doesn’t talk to anyone,” said neighbor Jaydalee Marie.
The victim was identified as Lovay Williams. According to police sources, her 5-year-old daughter was alone inside the apartment with her mother’s body.
Police say officers were conducting a welfare check on the victim when they found her inside the apartment, unconscious and unresponsive, with injuries to her face and neck.
This occurred approximately an hour after neighbor Jim Aiken reported seeing a mysterious person leaving the victim’s apartment several times, dressed in dark clothing and carrying plastic bags.
“It’s sad for the family,” Aiken said.
Police sources informed Telemundo 47 that the crime appears to be related to domestic violence.
Neighbors said Williams was a reserved person and was always accompanied by her young daughter, who was seen leaving the apartment building with police officers.
“It’s very distressing for a child that age to see something so horrible happen right before their eyes,” said Anthony Sanchez, a neighbor.
Those familiar with the mother and daughter’s case, like Luz Perez, said they can’t help but feel compassion for the victim and her daughter, who is now living a heartbreaking reality.
“I hope they find him. That poor girl lost her mother, and that’s very sad. She shouldn’t have to go through that at such a young age,” said Luz Perez.