Family of Bronx mother killed in 15th-floor balcony fall holds vigil as ex-boyfriend faces murder charge

Relatives of Nathaly Ramirez, the 23-year-old Bronx mother police say was pushed to her death from a 15th-floor balcony while holding her baby, gathered Saturday at a vigil outside the Allerton apartment building where she died.

Speaking to ABC7 for the first time, her mother remembered that Ramirez, known to people close to her as Michele, was always saying "I love you." Her grandmother described a young woman who always had a smile and gave the "best hugs ever," and urged other women to walk away at the first sign of abuse.

What police say happened

Ramirez and her 8-month-old daughter were found just after 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, in a courtyard behind the Allerville Arms at 2550 Olinville Avenue, FOX 5 New York reported, citing investigators. Police say Ramirez's ex-boyfriend, Angel Carrasco, pushed her from a 15th-floor balcony while she was holding the baby.

Ramirez was pronounced dead at a hospital. Her daughter survived, and authorities believe her mother's body may have cushioned the fall, NBC News reported. By Thursday the girl was in stable condition and had improved enough to be flown from Jacobi Hospital to Cohen Children's Medical Center in Glen Oaks for specialized treatment, police told ABC7.

A neighbor told NBC New York she heard the young woman pleading with someone before the fall.

The arrest and charges

The NYPD released Carrasco's name and photo on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and called him armed and dangerous. He was taken into custody around 10:30 p.m. that night after a close friend went to the 49th Precinct and told detectives where he was hiding, police said. Members of the Regional Fugitive Task Force made the arrest, according to ABC7.

Carrasco, 31, faces charges of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, attempted manslaughter and assault. A crowd heckled him as detectives walked him out of the 49th Precinct stationhouse on Thursday.

Police said there was a documented history of domestic violence between the two. In January, Carrasco was charged with slapping Ramirez during a dispute, and days later he was charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into her apartment while looking for her, ABC7 reported.

A death during Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Ramirez's photo has been added to a wall honoring victims of domestic violence, ABC7 reported. Stephanie McGraw, founder of the Harlem-based domestic violence group WARM, told the station her organization would have helped Ramirez and her daughter get to safety had they reached out.

Get help: In New York City, Safe Horizon's domestic violence hotline is open 24 hours a day at 1-800-621-4673 (HOPE). In an emergency, call 911.