BRIGHTON PARK — When Lady Diana Sanabria and her husband were late picking up their four kids from Sanabria's parents' house Sunday night, her parents got worried.
So they went over to the couple's Brighton Park apartment a few blocks away — and made a horrific discovery after borrowing a key from the landlord.
Inside, on the kitchen floor, Sanabria's father found his daughter dead, her throat slashed, said landlord Jose Madregal, who lives above Sanabria and her husband.
"They came to the apartment. They wanted to see what happened," said Madregal, 47.
After entering the first floor flat, her father walked out and "looked sick," Madregal said.
"She was his sunshine," said one family friend.
Police said Sanabria, 31, was killed during "a domestic dispute," but offered few other details to protect the detectives' investigation.
Officers were called to Sanabria's apartment in the 4400 block of South Richmond Street about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, authorities said.
Sanabria was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:59 p.m.
According to her landlord, Sanabria and her husband had spent the afternoon at a dance while Sanabria's parents — who live a few blocks away — watched the couple's four children.
When no one came to pick up the kids, Sanabria's parents went to check on her.
Madregal said he hasn't seen Sanabria's husband since the attack — and that he was surprised by the violent slaying. The couple never yells or argues, he said, and Sanabria's husband keeps to himself.
Family friends who've known Sanabria for years, but didn't want to be named, remembered her as hilarious, hospitable and a good mom — "buena gente."
She loved throwing themed birthday parties for her two boys and two girls.
"She really went all out for her kids," one friend said.
Those interviewed called Sanabria's husband "a good man" who "liked to drink." Friends said they were shocked and puzzled by Sanabria's slaying.
"There’s a lot of pain. It’s something incredible that you can’t believe," said a longtime friend as tears fell down her face. "You never think it’ll happen to someone you know."
