Heartbreaking pics show new mum, 32, with baby before she was killed in Times Square on first day back from mat leave

HEARTBREAKING photos of a woman who was killed in Times Square on her first day back to work after maternity leave show her idyllic life with her husband and baby daughter.

Erin Piacenti, 32, was stabbed to death in a random, unprovoked attack by Pamela Cisneros, 49, a Queens resident who long battled mental illness.

Her family said they were “devastated” by her tragic death, saying that the “lifelong ambition” of the Bank of America executive was to be a mother.

It was just five months ago that Erin had given birth to little Madison, “the greatest possible joy” for her.

“Erin’s life was defined not by the circumstances of her death, but instead by the way she lived,” read a tribute on a GoFundMe page.

“She was deeply devoted to her family and friends, exceptionally bright and accomplished, and was someone who brought warmth and energy to the people around her.

“Erin and Frank celebrated their second wedding anniversary this summer, had just returned from a family road trip… and were preparing to build a life together with their new daughter.

“That life changed incomprehensibly in an instant.”

Armed with two knives, Cisneros stabbed two strangers before police shot her dead as she fled towards an NYPD substation.

She wounded 68-year-old Tak Kam in the stomach near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue before racing a block and stabbing Erin in the abdomen.

Footage shows the suspect waving the blades as officers ordered her to drop the weapons.

“I am not dropping anything, I would rather kill both of you. I will kill you,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Cisneros told police.

Eyewitnesses said she had been threatening tourists in the packed square before the bloodshed erupted.

The attack was initially reported as a knifepoint robbery, but police later said they believed there was no clear motive.

Authorities also said they did not believe the rampage was terror-related as Cisneros had earlier been described as “emotionally disturbed”.

Erin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and from Fordham University School of Law, and worked up to becoming the vice president at Bank of America.

But her career accomplishments speak to only a small portion of who she was, according to her family.

Relatives further described her as a “thoughtful daughter and sister, a loyal friend, a devoted partner and companion” and most recently, an “incredibly loving mother” to Madison.

Just four days before her death, Erin shared a touching picture of herself beaming as she held her baby alongside her husband Frank.

The lovebirds had bought their dream home in leafy Chester, New Jersey, and were looking forward to building a life together after only getting married two years ago.

The fundraiser, which has reached nearly $500,000 as of Thursday, has been set up to support their daughter and her future.

The tragedy also shocked her colleagues at Bank of America where she had been working as VP for the past 18 months.

“She was a beautiful young lady, very sharp,” said one woman outside the bank’s offices near Bryant Park, who worked on the victim’s floor, the New York Post reported.

“It’s very sad, we are grieving. We all have our heads down – everybody.”