Mesías Lojano, killed in New York subway attack, returned to Ecuador for burial

The remains of Jesús Mesías Lojano, a 59-year-old Ecuadorian migrant, arrived in the Turi parish of Cuenca on Saturday, October 10, 2026, for burial. Lojano had lived in the United States for 25 years before his death.

Lojano was fatally stabbed on September 30, 2026, while traveling on the J line of the New York City Subway in the Queens district. According to reports, an individual began insulting him before attacking him with a knife near the Woodhaven Boulevard station. Lojano succumbed to his injuries at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center.

The New York Police Department identified the suspect as 25-year-old Jyrell Thomas, who is currently in custody facing charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Lojano's family and the Turi Parish Government have expressed their condolences during the funeral services held in his home community.