The murder-suicide took place on the Upper West Side in a one-bedroom apartment on Monday, Aug. 28, where the family of four lived, said the New York City Police Department.
According to NYPD, Edison Lopez, age 41, allegedly fatally stabbed his fiancée Alexandra Witek, age 40, and their boys, Lucian, age 3, and 1-year-old, Calvin, before killing himself in the West 86th Street apartment he grew up in.
Although police are still investigating a motive for the killings, NYPD Assistant Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny told reporters on Tuesday, Aug. 29, that Lopez may have been experiencing mental strain over a new job in Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester County and the fact that their new apartment would not be ready by the needed Friday, Sept. 1 move-in date, the New York Post reported.
The NYPD said the family was found after police were called for a wellness check at the apartment at 328 West 86th Street.
"With the assistance of FDNY personnel, officers were able to gain entry into a fourth-floor apartment, where four aided individuals were discovered," the department said.
Lopez was discovered with trauma to his neck, as well as Witek. The 3-year-old had trauma to his torso and the baby had trauma all over his body, NYPD said.
Police did not divulge what job Lopez had obtained in Hastings or where their new home was located.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time.
A GoFundMe has been started to aid Witek's family with funeral expenses.
The effort described Witek as a loving stay-at-home mother who made the life of her boys "light and full."
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