Yield Pro is saddened to report that, on July 28, 2025, a mass shooting in midtown Manhattan claimed the lives of Wesley LePatner and Julia Hyman, two professionals in the New York real estate sector. LePatner’s and Hyman’s deaths are unspeakable tragedies for their families and significant losses for New York’s business community.
Wesley LePatner: Leader in real estate investment
Wesley LePatner, 43, held a senior position at Blackstone, one of the world’s leading alternative asset managers. She served as the Global Head of Core+ Real Estate and CEO of the Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust (BREIT). A graduate of Yale University, LePatner began her career at Goldman Sachs, and in 2014, she joined Blackstone, where she was integral in expanding and managing some of the firm’s largest funds.
Throughout her tenure, LePatner was acknowledged for her strategic oversight and for advancing diversity and mentorship within the organization. She chaired Blackstone’s Women’s Initiative and was actively involved in mentoring junior employees. She also contributed to professional and nonprofit boards, including the UJA-Federation of New York and the Yale University Library Council. LePatner’s management and leadership were recognized within and outside Blackstone, and her work influenced both the company’s culture and its philanthropic outreach.
Colleagues described LePatner as a dedicated professional with a reputation for excellence. Beyond her professional responsibilities, she was active in the community and known for her philanthropic involvement. LePatner is survived by her husband, Evan, and their two children.
Julia Hyman: Emerging professional in real estate
Julia Hyman, 27, was an associate at Rudin Management, having joined the company in late 2024. A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Hyman also attended the Riverdale Country School in the Bronx. Her early career included internships at major firms before her position at Rudin.
Hyman’s work at Rudin was characterized by attention to detail and a strong work ethic, according to statements from Rudin. She was recognized as an asset to her team and had begun to build a professional reputation in the New York real estate industry. Her colleagues and family described her as dedicated and diligent.
The deranged gunman who took LePatner’s and Hyman’s lives also claimed as victims NYPD Officer Didarul Islam and security guard Aland Etienne, who were killed, and several others who were injured. According to police and media reports, the gunman intended to target another office but entered the Rudin offices after taking an incorrect elevator.
