PATERSON — Two people were killed in what the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office is calling a murder-suicide on East 16th Street on Sunday morning.

Paterson police officers responded to 263 East 16th St. at about 9:30 a.m. after receiving a call that there were two dead bodies inside a home.

Officers discovered the bodies of Estafani Hernandez, 31, and her husband, 49-year-old Alejo Batista, said a release from the Prosecutor's Office. Investigators have alleged that Batista stabbed Hernandez before taking his own life.

Ylumiada Ramires, the mother of Hernandez, said she called the police after discovering the bodies as she entered the couple's home.

"I just saw him hanging when I opened the door halfway," Ramires said of Batista, adding that her daughter was on the floor.

The couple "already had problems," she explained, but she said her daughter would confide in her and that ultimately "they had a good relationship."

"I didn't think he was going to do that," she added, referring to Batista's alleged actions.

Hernandez's father, Cristian Hernandez, said the family will take his daughter's remains back to the Dominican Republic.

Outside on East 16th Street, Ramires cried as the bodies were being taken out of the residence.

“She was so pretty. She worked so hard,” Ramires said about her daughter. “She took care of me. Who will now? This hurts. Oh, God. The pain I am feeling.”

Estafani Hernandez and Batista were from the Dominican Republic, but they met in New Jersey and had been together for three years, Ramires said.

Prosecutors said they are not seeking other suspects at this time, but that the investigation is still ongoing. Any relevant information can be sent to the prosecutor by calling 1-877-370-PCPO or emailing tips@passaiccountynj.org.

Joe Malinconico of Paterson Press and Staff Photojournalist Amy Newman contributed to this article. Email: editor@patersonpress.com