The devastated family of a woman stabbed to death by a wanted felon out on bail have said she was a “shining light” all their lives.
Christy Bautista, 31, was stabbed at least 30 times by career criminal George Sydnor Jr, 43, after he broke into her Washington DC hotel room.
Relatives say she was visiting the area from Virginia to attend a concert and have paid tribute to her on a GoFundMe page.
They said in a statement: ‘Our family is devastated at the loss of our beloved Christy.
“She brought joy to all who knew her and was a shining light in all of our lives. Please respect our privacy as we mourn her at this time.”
Bautista had checked into the Ivy City Hotel an hour early and parked her car directly in front of room 116, where she was staying
Christy Bautista, 31, (left) was stabbed at least 30 times by career criminal George Sydnor Jr, 43, after he broke into her Washington DC hotel room
Bautista was caught on surveillance footage screaming for help as Sydnor broke into her room.
A mugshot of the suspected killer has not been released by Washington police, but he has been charged with first-degree murder.
Bautista had checked into the Ivy City Hotel an hour early and parked her car directly in front of room 116, where she was staying.
Soon after, Sydnor rode a bicycle to the hotel and was seen on surveillance footage listening through the door before entering.
Ten minutes later, DC police arrived at room 116 and Sydnor told the officers that everything was fine.
However, when police saw his bloodied hands through the blinds, they retrieved the master key and entered the room, according to court documents viewed by DailyMail.com.
When police entered the room at around 7 p.m., they found Bautista lying on the floor with multiple stab wounds as Sydnor attempted to smoke a cigarette.
Bautista was pronounced dead at the scene 11 minutes later, with police finding a large kitchen knife with a broken blade on the bed next to his coat.
The family of the James Madison University graduate in Virginia said they do not believe the pair knew each other
Bautista had checked into the Ivy City Hotel an hour early and parked her car directly in front of room 116, where she was staying.
Sydnor was found with blood on his trousers, shoes and vest.
The family of the James Madison University graduate in Virginia said they do not believe the pair knew each other.
Her family’s GoFundMe page already passed its $10,000 goal by Wednesday afternoon to raise $11,260.
The alleged killer was taken to hospital to be treated for lacerations before being discharged and taken to the police station for questioning.
Sydnor has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. He was out on bail at the time of the alleged murder on suspicion of armed robbery in October.
The 43-year-old, who has a long criminal record that includes 25 previous arrests, was originally denied bail in December because of his criminal past.
However, another judge released him two weeks later.
He is also wanted in Maryland and will be extradited there next month, according to NBC Washington.
When he attacked Bautista, he was wanted in D.C. and Prince George’s County for failing to appear in court.
Sydnor will appear in court again on May 8.
Bautista was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:11 p.m., nearly 30 minutes after Sydnor entered her room
Her family has also started a GoFundMe page for her funeral expenses, which surpassed the $10,000 goal to raise $11,260 by Wednesday afternoon