Eight days after the tragic and fatal stabbing of Tracey Towers mother, Monica Akua, neighbors, community members, church friends, and elected officials gathered at the Jerome Park twin-tower housing complex to remember a beloved resident.

 

The memorial follows a candlelit vigil, also held at the towers, in memory of Akua on Monday, July 18, organized by “We All Really Matter (W.A.R.M.)” a Harlem-based organization supporting people affected by domestic violence. Akua’s daughter, Doris, flew in from Georgia to attend the July 22 memorial and grieve along with her brother, Joel, who, we understand, lives in New York. Their mother was 52.

 

With the emotional pain of her loss still too raw, neither Doris nor Joel was ready to speak about their mother to Norwood News, but Joel made sure to direct some of his mother’s friends and fellow church goers to us to share some memories of their mom.

 

A topic that came up repeatedly, as a stream of her friends shared stories about the late 52-year-old, was how much she loved to cook for others, especially at special events. “She loved to cook,” said fellow church member, Hilda [last name withheld], who referred to Akua as her “sister.” She added, “Whether somebody’s having a party, a funeral, whatever, you call her; she’s there. She [didn’t] mind cooking for 50 people, 100 people. She loved to cook, and she loved to give. We’re going to miss her.”

 

Indeed, at first, it was a little confusing to understand exactly how many sisters Akua had, since so many women identified themselves as Akua’s “older sister” or “younger sister,” a term of endearment. Felicia Omari said Akua had treated her as “a big sister.” In return, Omari said she gave her friend the nickname “Lovey.”

 

Omari added, “She came into my life and supported me a lot. Even when I’m at work, she called me [and would say] ‘Miss Felicia, I cook for you, so when you get here, come to my house and pick up the food. I’m not going to close the door; just come in.’ So, when I go, I just open the door and say, ‘I’m here!’”

 

As reported by Norwood News, Akua’s partner, Anthony Erzuah, 59, was charged with alleged murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon in the context of her death, shocking the residents of the 876-unit Mitchel Lama housing complex, known for its tight-knit Ghanaian community.

 

In a sad twist to the tragedy, according to her friends, Akua had used up all her sick days from her job to take care of her partner since he reportedly suffered from an undisclosed illness. A memorial attendee who worked closely with Akua knew of the dilemma the Tracey Towers resident had been facing. The person said they saw in Akua a person who relied on her faith to get through tough times. “She had always had God inside her,” the person said. When Monica needed help resetting her password, she requested it be set to “God’s Love.”

 

The plague of domestic violence and the need to both address it and help prevent it was also discussed at the July 22nd memorial. Representatives from the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence were in attendance to help anyone in need of more information.

 

Norwood News recently reported on a separate apparent domestic violence incident at 3300 Bailey Avenue in Kingsbridge Heights on Saturday, July 23, in which a 29-year-old was arrested for alleged assault, criminal possession of a weapon and other charges, following a stabbing. Neighbors told Norwood News on the night in question there were three female victims involved, two adults (one of whom was pregnant) and one small child.

 

District 11 City Councilman Eric Dinowitz, State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), and Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez (A.D. 80), the latter two running for election on Aug. 23, as reported, were seen and heard offering both condolences and help, via their respective offices, to Akua’s family.

 

Officially starting at 4 p.m. and held in an open space next to Tracey Towers’ reopened playground atop the parking garage, the memorial was still going strong by sunset at around 8.15 p.m. When asked what time it was expected to end, Joel replied, “I think we’ll be here till midnight.”

 

Jean Hill, president of Tracy Towers Tenants Organization, said she knew of Akua’s reputation for cooking and sharing with others. “Here was a beautiful soul who reached out to everyone in her community, always working to do something positive,” Hill said. Asked about whether the tragedy could be used to shed a light on the issue of domestic violence, Hill expressed optimism that it could.

 

“If anything, this really shone a spotlight on how people can be suffering in silence and we intend to be silent no more,” she said. “We intend to do programs here at Tracy Towers to educate people on domestic violence, because it not only happens to women, it also happens to men. We need to let people know there’s help out there for you. We’re going to make sure that you have all of that information.”

 

Meanwhile, Victoria (last name withheld) told us that back in Ghana, her sister had directed her to meet up with Akua when she arrived at Tracey Towers to learn how to navigate The Bronx. “When I came here, I met her and she took me as a little sister,” Victoria said.

 

“She always [came] to my house. We [went] shopping. She [was] in my house with my children. She loved children, she loved my kids,” said Victoria. “She loved everybody. She’s a lovely sister. She’s our dear sister and I miss her dearly. She has a big heart, and she has a kind heart. She loved everybody.”

 

From July 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2021, The Bronx recorded the highest percentage (7 percent) of chronic domestic violence complaints (797) of all City boroughs, relative to its population. The NYPD offers help and support in relation to domestic violence and guidance on how to protect against stalkers. If you are in immediate danger, if you can, call 911.

 

Norwood News previously reported on tips of how best to protect against stalkers.

 

The Bronx District Attorney’s office urges anyone suffering at the hands of an abuser to immediately contact the Bronx D.A.’s crime victim assistance unit at (718) 590-2115. The Bronx Family Justice Center can be reached on (718) 508 1220. For more help & resources, visit https://on.nyc.gov/2BqhBe8. or call 1-800-621-4673 (HOPE).

 

A person charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.