Community Rallies For Son After Mom Hacked To Death By NJ Dad: Court Records

SOMERVILLE, NJ — A fundraiser has been launched to support the son of a woman killed in a "horrific domestic violence incident" in Somerville, according to the GoFundMe.

The fundraiser was started by friends of Leo, whose mother, Alyne Espinal, died on Aug. 6.

"Alyne Silva was a beautiful mother who worked alongside her son, Leo, 5+ years at Red Lobster and was family to us all," according to the fundraiser.

The campaign says coworkers, friends and Somerset County residents have been deeply affected by the killing and are collecting donations to help Leo.

"As coworkers, friends, and even just as Somerset County residents, we are shaken to the core that something like this could happen right in Somerville, NJ," the fundraiser says. "But as friends & co-workers of her son Leo, we are coming together to try and raise funds to help."

According to court records, police responded just before 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 6 to 60 Brookside Avenue, Apartment 3B, after a 911 call reporting concerns for the welfare of a female resident.

Officers found Alyne Espinal dead inside the home, and a camping-style hatchet with suspected blood on it was also found there, according to the documents.

Alyne, 46, who was found with multiple lacerations to her chest, neck, and thigh in the couple's home at 60 Brookside Avenue, Apartment 3B in Someville.

Court documents obtained by Patch also say surveillance video reportedly showed Alyne's husband, Ignacio Espinal, purchasing a hatchet at a local hardware store four weeks earlier.

The same records say video near the home showed him driving Alyne's vehicle the day she was found dead, and that suspected blood was later found inside the vehicle.

Ignacio Espinal, 55, of Somerville, was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree hindering.

The GoFundMe closes with a message to Leo and Alyne. "We are here for you Leo, and RIP, sweet Alyne."

For more information on the GoFundMe fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/support-for-leo-after-losing-his-mother-alyne.

Safe+Sound Somerset helps survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Safe+Sound offers help 24/7 with their call and text helpline at 866-685-1122. For more information, visit safe-sound.org.

• Previous Reporting: NJ Man Slashes Wife To Death, Prosecutors Say
• NJ Man Hacked Wife To Death With Hatchet, Court Records Show

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