Filmmaker Lexi Alexander has drawn widespread criticism for sharing a meme that appeared to mock the murder of Bank of America executive Erin Piacenti, who was killed in a random stabbing attack in Times Square. Piacenti, 32, had recently returned to work after maternity leave when she was fatally attacked.
Alexander, 52, posted an image on social media depicting Batman looking up at a bat signal featuring the face of Luigi Mangione, a figure who has been subject to vigilante-style online praise. The post garnered over 36,000 likes but ignited a furious response from social media users. Alexander, who is Palestinian-American, defended her actions, claiming the backlash was fueled by a "Hasbara bot farm" – a reference to Israel's public diplomacy arm – due to her calls to boycott Bank of America over its alleged ties to Israel.
She further remarked on the attention received, stating, "Can't get this kind of press when I promote a movie, but post a Luigi meme and they're all over you." This sentiment was met with strong condemnation from some, including attorney Mark Yzaguirre, who called her response "human garbage."
Alexander, known for her film "Green Street Hooligans" and the Oscar-nominated short "Johnny Flynton," continued to engage with critics on X, reiterating her calls for a boycott of Bank of America. Some commentators pointed to reports of Alexander's estimated net worth of $1 million to $3 million, questioning her "eat the rich" stance, to which she responded by saying, "Lol I so wish that was true."
The incident occurred as Piacenti was walking on West 41st Street in Midtown Manhattan. She was approached by Pamela Cisneros, 49, who also stabbed an elderly man before Cisneros was killed by responding police officers. Bank of America issued a statement expressing shock and sadness over Piacenti's death, calling her a "valued teammate."
An online fundraiser was established to support Piacenti's infant daughter, Madison. A tribute on the fundraising page described Piacenti as deeply devoted to her family and friends, bright, accomplished, and a source of warmth and energy. The page noted that Piacenti and her husband, Frank, had recently celebrated their second wedding anniversary and were building a life with their new daughter.
