Woman Stabbed In Asbury Park Random Attack Is Local Photographer

ASBURY PARK, NJ — The woman who was stabbed by a man in a random attack Monday afternoon in Asbury Park is a well-known local artist and photographer.

And she is struggling to survive, say her friends.

"The Asbury Park community is heartbroken by the senseless act of violence that critically injured beloved local artist and photographer Andrea Laign," said Susan Williams, one of Laign's friends. "On Labor Day, while walking down Asbury Avenue with a friend, Andrea was attacked without provocation by an assailant who stabbed her multiple times."

As of Thursday, Laign remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor, this was a random, unprovoked attack. Laign and the man accused of stabbing her did not know each other, and had never met before.

It was 2:37 p.m. Monday (Labor Day), and Laign and a friend, Rosanne Ferrara, were walking on the 500 block of Asbury Avenue, a quiet, residential neighborhood just a few short blocks from the boardwalk. Both women live in Asbury Park. They were only a block from the friend's home.

Police say a man, identified as Travis Cavanaugh, 39, of Asbury Park, approached the two women from behind and started stabbing Laign. He continued to stab her until her friend intervened and pulled Laign to safety.

"They were walking a block from her friend's home ... The attacker came from behind, started stabbing (her) and it was her close friend who stepped in and tried to pull the attacker off," said another friend, Marian Ferrara. "Fortunately, the other woman was not stabbed, but without her immediate help (Laign) may have suffered far more wounds and a greater loss of blood."

When police got there, several other bystanders were giving aid to the woman. She suffered multiple stab wounds.

Laign is an artist and will have medical bills and living expenses when she is released from the hospital. How to help: Help Andrea Laign, Asbury Artist, Heal from Attack

"Andrea Laign is a beloved member of our creative family," read this GoFundMe launched to raise money for her recovery. "It is devastating that this sweet, talented, light-filled soul is a victim of such a violent crime. In the coming months she will need assistance with medical and living expenses before she can return to her love of photography and her creation of beautiful art. Please donate what you can and share this fundraiser so that she can concentrate on her recovery, and keep her in your thoughts in the hard days ahead."

Cavanaugh was arrested at the scene of the crime, and is currently being held at Monmouth County Jail. He has been charged with first-degree attempted murder and weapons possession.

Woman Stabbed In Unprovoked Attack In Asbury Park Monday, Police Say

Andrea Laign Instagram page and website