A Bronx community came together Saturday night to honor a woman who police say was pushed off a 15th-floor balcony.
People gathered in prayer at a community vigil to remember 23-year-old Nathaly Ramirez and pray for the recovery of her 8-month-old daughter, Nova, who remains in critical condition.
The candlelight vigil, organized by the New York City Clergy and United Clergy Coalition, took place outside the apartment building on Olinville Avenue in Allerton, where the incident occurred.
According to the NYPD, Ramirez’s estranged boyfriend, 31-year-old Angel Carrasco of Highbridge, pushed Ramirez and their daughter off the balcony around 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Survivors of domestic violence attended Saturday’s vigil to show support for the family and remember Ramirez.
“I’ve lived through that fire, and I know what it’s like to try to get away from your abuser, so that’s why I came,” said Susan Sanchez, a domestic violence survivor. “It touched me because a baby, she was thrown. She was innocent, so was Nathaly, she didn’t deserve to die like that.”
Earlier Saturday, Ramirez’s mother, brother and grandparents joined a community prayer and remembrance gathering in her honor.
Ramirez’s grandmother, Minerva, urged women experiencing abuse to seek safety and remember that they cannot change their abusers.
“Women, please, you cannot change them,” she said. “You have to, when you see that first sign, please walk away because they need help.”
Minerva also remembered Ramirez, whom she knew as Michelle, as a happy person who was full of love.
“And Nathaly I knew as Michelle, and my Michelle was the happiest person ever. She always had a smile on her face, love for everybody, best hugs ever,” she said.
Carrasco was arrested Wednesday evening and faces several charges, including murder and attempted murder.