The heartbroken granddaughter of the 83-year-old Vietnam War veteran who was fatally shoved onto Manhattan subway tracks by a migrant decried the “immeasurable” loss on Monday — as prosecutors revealed chilling new details of the beloved victim’s final moments.
The family of US Air Force vet Richard Williams, a cancer survivor, remains devastated, said his granddaughter, Jackie Bilog, as his accused killer, 34-year-old Honduran national Bairon Hernandez appeared in Manhattan Supreme Court on a murder indictment.
“He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather and a kind generous man whose life was centered around those he loved,” Bilog, 37, said outside the courtroom, fighting tears following Hernandez’s arraignment.
“The loss we feel is immeasurable and the circumstances surrounding his passing had made his grief more difficult to bear,” she said.
Prosecutors, during the hearing, described the maniac migrant’s off the rails rampage at the Lexington Avenue-63rd Street Station on the Upper East Side on March 8 — and how he allegedly randomly pushed both the elderly victim and another straphanger, 30-year-old Jhon Pena.
Williams was walking on the platform with a cane, waiting for a train at around noon, when Hernandez allegedly suddenly shoved him with full force, said Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Julie Noble.
“The defendant pushed him with such force with both of his hands that (Williams) flew onto the tracks and landed directly on his face,” Noble told the court.
Cellphone footage of the attack, apparently shot by Pena from the train tracks, showed the suspect casually strolling along the platform after pushing both victims.
Williams suffered a brain bleed and never regained consciousness.
He died on March 17, nine days after the attack, leading Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office to pursue the murder indictment against Hernandez.
Pena suffered a shoulder injury after the attack, according to Bragg, who blasted the attacks as “heinous” following the arraignment.
Hernandez wore a beige jail outfit as he pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges through an interpreter during the hearing.
Prosecutors said he has two open warrants for drug-related cases in New Jersey.
Hernandez also has a federal conviction for illegally entering the US, according to prosecutors.
Judge Curtis Farber agreed with a request from prosecutors to revoke Hernandez’s $100,000 bail in light of the upgraded murder charges that followed Williams’ death.
“He will be remanded on the prosecution’s request on the new charge of murder in the second degree,” Farber said.
Bilog, who was joined in court by her significant other, said that she hopes her grandfather’s death will bring “awareness and meaningful action” to help prevent other families from experiencing the same tragic loss.
“He will be remembered for his warmth, his integrity and the deep love he gave so freely. We’ll carry him with us always,” she said.
If convicted, Hernandez faces a maximum of 25 years-to-life on the murder charge.
His attorney, Mitchell Schuman, said he would reserve a bail application for a later date.
Hernandez is due back in court on July 22.