Donna Hyman: Brooklyn woman fatally stabbed in apparent fight with son, family dog found dead outside building
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: A Brooklyn woman, 58, identified as Donna Hyman, died on Friday, January 19, from a suspected double stabbing, as per Daily News.
Her 36-year-old son, who is supposedly the assailant, was also found critically injured at the scene. Moreover, a dead dog was found outside the Starrett City building.
NYPD responds to distressing stabbing scene
NYPD officers rushed to 1500 Hornell Loop near Pennsylvania Ave following a 911 call around 7 pm. To their dismay, they discovered the lifeless body of a dog right outside the building's entrance, as per PIX11.
The dog's injuries, consistent with a fall from a significant height, were deemed part of the tragic incident that unfolded on the 11th-floor apartment inhabited by Hyman.
Inside the building lobby, law enforcement found her adult son wounded and bleeding. Their grim discovery continued as they soon found the body of the 58-year-old mother, who had sustained multiple stab wounds.
Neighbors, including 17-year-old Johadah Murphy, observed as paramedics treated the injured son in the building lobby.
Murphy recounted, "He was under a white sheet because he was naked. When he first came down, he said, 'Oh, I need some help.' And then he said, 'Never mind. No one can help me'."
Neighbors stunned by Donna Hyman's death
Other neighbors spoke of Hyman's affection for her pet poodle Gigi. They noted how the 58-year-old apparently viewed the dog as emotional support after her husband's death six years ago.
A resident stated, "I feel the dog was emotional support for her. She cared about her son and dog."
Another neighbor, who spoke anonymously, couldn't imagine a reason why someone would want to kill Hyman, noting, "She was a very positive lady. She didn’t deserve that at all," as per Daily News.
Neighbor claims mother and son often fought over the dog's barking problem
Another neighbor, who gave her name as Rhea, described a conversation with Hyman that led her to believe the slain mother had a strained relationship with her son.
"I said, ‘Donna, your son is handsome and charming.’ She told me, ‘Handsome yes; charming — not so much.’ And that line for some reason stuck with me," said Rhea.
Describing Hyman, the neighbor noted, "She was an extremely nice person. We talked. She was calm."
Yet another resident of the building, Elizabeth Gonzalez, claimed that the mother and son often fought about the dog's barking problem. She claimed, "I remember when we would pass by her apartment, the dog would bark a lot."
Detectives have been unable to question Hyman's son, who remains under medical treatment. No arrests had been made as of Saturday evening, and the investigation is ongoing.
