Alayna Hardy, age 27, was savagely stabbed to  death in her Harlem, New York  apartment May 19, 2021 allegedly by her ex-boyfriend against whom she had filed multiple domestic violence reports with police. (Credit: gofundme.com)

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

NEW YORK  CITY  –   Family described 27-year-old Alayna Hardy as “a beautiful shining light” who is now lost after she was brutally stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend this week in her Harlem apartment.  Fernando Munera, 26, the suspect,  sustained stab wounds to his neck and chest when his ex-girlfriend fiercely fought  back during some  kind of struggle inside the apartment, police said.  Munera is in critical condition in the hospital.   The woman was taken to Metropolitan Hospital where she later died after sustaining multiple stab wounds throughout her body. The suspect was taken to Harlem Hospital and faces charges of murder, burglary and criminal contempt, police said. Hardy was a nursing student who reportedly had filed six previous domestic violence reports against Munera.  Hardy had called police the night she was killed to report he was attempting to break into  her apartment.  When cops arrived, he was long gone.  However, the ex-boyfriend returned an hour later  and managed to break into  her apartment through the fire escape. Once inside, he allegedly unleashed his vicious attack.   Hardy’s family set up a GoFundMe page to help with their funeral expenses and the cost to transport her remains back to Arizona, and it’s already raised over $12,000.

“Yesterday we lost a beautiful shining light.  Alayna Hardy, age 27, was someone that you couldn’t help but love the minute you met her. She had a zest for life and lived everyday to the max. She was a world traveler and had seen more of the world than most people 3 times her age. She had just completed her CNA certification and was working on her bachelor degree on her way to becoming a Physicians Assistant. She was a bundle of energy and joy and was loved by everyone who knew her. She was taken from us in a senseless act of violence and her family and friends are devastated.”

-Family statement on gofundme.com

(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)  A New York Police Department officer stands  outside the apartment building on E. 115th St. and First Ave in the  East Harlem section of Manhattan  where a 27-year-old woman was stabbed to death May 19, 2021. 

Police believe the ex-boyfriend lived downstairs from the woman.  The 27-year-old victim was attacked when the suspect broke in at about 8:45 p.m.  Police said the woman and the 26-year-old man  were each found with stab wounds when police arrived to the apartment at 115th Street and First Avenue at about 10:45 p.m. Wednesday.   

(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)  A New York Police Department officer stands  outside the apartment building on E. 115th St. and First Ave in the  East Harlem section of Manhattan  where a 27-year-old woman was stabbed to death May 19, 2021. 

Family members believe the police and the system failed to protect Hardy, like many other victims of domestic violence. 

(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)  The woman was taken to Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan, NY where she later died after sustaining multiple stab wounds throughout her body on May 19, 2021. 

Suspect In Critical Condition at Harlem Hospital With Stab Wounds to Neck, Chest 

(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)  The 26-year-old suspect was taken to Harlem Hospital where he is in critical condition from being stabbed in the neck and chest, and is facing charges of murder, burglary and criminal contempt, police said.