By Gina Martinez
A GoFundMe page in support of the family of a slain Richmond Hill mother has taken in more than $6,000 within a few days.
Stacy Singh, 26, was stabbed to death in her home on Jan. 1 in an apparent murder-suicide, police said, leaving two small children without parents. Her death was the city’s first murder of 2018.
Officers responded to a 911 call of an unconscious female inside a residence at 112th Street near 103rd Avenue. When police arrived, they discovered the young mother’s body unresponsive with multiple stab wounds to her torso. Police said she was pronounced dead on the scene.
According to police, hours later, Singh’s 46 year-old husband, Vinny Loknath, was discovered hanging from a tree a mile away in Forest Park. The Guyanese couple, who shared a 5-year-old son and a 1-year-old daughter, were in an abusive relationship.
Police said Loknath was charged with assault in September for repeatedly striking his wife in the back of the head with his fist. After that assault, a judge reportedly granted a protection order barring him from seeing his wife until October 2019.
The Daily News reported that the couple were thrown out of a New Year’s Eve celebration at a local club for arguing.
Romain Shaw, Singh’s brother-in-law, told the Daily News that Loknath was abusive.
“She stayed with him no matter what because they had two kids together,” he said. “She was hoping for him to change, but he never did.”
The newspaper also reported that Loknath made a bizarre call to his mother after the alleged killing, asking to be cremated instead of buried.
The GoFundMe page — started by family friend Shivie Sukhdeo on Jan. 4 with the support of Singh’s family, she said — is collecting money to pay for Singh’s funeral and to provide for the parentless children.
“All the funds donated will be put towards the funeral expenses of Stacy and support of the two children,” Sukhdeo wrote. “Any additional donations after the goal is reached will be placed into a fund that is set up by the family and will be used to provide for the two children left behind.”
As of Wednesday the petition had exceeded its $10,000 goal, raising $12,921.
On the page, many expressed their condolences and shock following the murder. Vijai Kublall said it was difficult to begin a new year like this.
“This makes me really sad that two beautiful children have to endure this unfortunate event for the rest of their life,” she wrote. “I pray that they are given the strength to survive this tragic loss in their lives.”
Aminta Kilawan-Narine also expressed concern for the children.
“Stacy Singh’s death has shaken me to my core,” she wrote. “May her family, especially her two precious little children, now orphaned, find a way to heal. She is in my thoughts every hour since her passing. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Thank you for coordinating this memorial fund in her remembrance.”
Signh’s death represents the second year in a row that the city’s first murder took place in Richmond Hill. Last year, Guyanese native Ricky Kalisaran was shot to death following an attempted robbery. State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Jamaica) said he is deeply saddened and alarmed and plans on continuing his efforts and advocacy to pass legislation to protect all New Yorkers from domestic violence and all other forms of violent crime.
“This year a married couple is gone as the result of an alleged murder-suicide, leaving their two young children orphaned,” he said. “Domestic violence has no place in New York state, and is especially tragic when it ends with the loss of life. We in state government have a responsibility to end this unacceptable scourge and provide assistance and support to those impacted by this horrible crime.”
Police said no arrests have been made and the investigation was ongoing.
Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmart
