A New York City events coordinator has been charged with manslaughter and second degree assault for the death of an 87-year-old Broadway vocal coach.
Lauren Pazienza, 26, is now in custody for the death of Barbara Gustern, a beloved Broadway vocal coach who died on March 15.
Gustern was walking towards a cab outside her Chelsea apartment building when she was pushed from behind on March 10. She was helped back to her feet by a cyclist and was taken to the hospital ‘covered in blood’ after hitting her head on the cement, but died four days later.
Her cash bail has been set at $500,000.
Before she lost consciousness, Gustern told police and a friend that a woman crossed the street, approached her directly, called her a ‘b***h’ and shoved her ‘as hard as she had ever been hit in her life.’
On Saturday, the NYPD released photos of a flame-haired young woman who they said was responsible for the attack. She appeared to be getting on the subway.
That woman has now been identified as Pazienza, who lives in Astoria, Queens, with her fiancé.
Pazienza worked as an events coordinator for the furniture brand Roche Bobois, but quit her role in December. It’s unclear what she has been doing since, or what motive she could have had for pushing the woman.
Her attorney told DailyMail.com on Tuesday that there is no proof that she pushed Gustern.
‘What they have is a photo of someone who looks like my client getting on the subway. This attack did not happen on the subway,’ attorney Arthur Aidala said.
Lauren Pazienza is shown in a social media photo. She handed herself in to police on Tuesday and has now been charged with manslaughter
Pazienza is shown being taken out of the 10th Precinct in Chelsea on Tuesday morning. She is due in court this afternoon
Broadway singing coach Barbara Maier Gustern died in a hospital Tuesday morning after she was put on life support following a random shoving attack last week
Police issued these images of Pazienza on Saturday, claiming she was responsible for the attack. She handed herself in two days later but it’s unclear if she has admitted to pushing the woman over
Pazienza is shown walking near the scene of the crime on March 10 at around 8.30pm. The motive remains unclear
Pazienza is from Port Jefferson, Long Island, and handed herself in to cops on Tuesday along with an attorney
He will represent Pazienza in court this afternoon, where he intends to ask for bond.
She is from Port Jefferson, Long Island, and handed herself in to cops on Tuesday along with an attorney.
Gustern’s family has not yet commented on her arrest. Her father Daniel runs a cesspool company.
It remains unclear if there is any connection between the pair or if it was a random attack.
On March 10, Gustern was walking towards a cab outside her apartment building on 28th Street Chelsea when she was pushed from behind at 8.30pm.
She hit her head and went into a coma, then died four days later.
Her grandson has been painstakingly searching for answers and keeping loved ones updated in Facebook posts.
The NYPD on Saturday released photographs of Pazienza getting on the subway near where the attack happened.
Pazienza made no comment as she was taken out of the 10th Precinct to the courthouse on Tuesday
Pazienza on Tuesday being brought to central booking in Manhattan
The 26-year-old lives with her fiance, Microsoft customer support specialist Naveen Pereira
Gustern’s grandson AJ has been updating her Facebook page. She died on March 15 – four days after being pushed to the ground
Pazienza grew up in this home in Port Jefferson, an affluent town in Long Island not far from New York City
She turned herself in on Tuesday with an attorney and is now expected to be booked for manslaughter.
She lives in a one-bedroom apartment in Shore Towers, a doorman building in Astoria, with her fiance Naveen Pereira.
The apartment was last sold in 2019 for $540,000, according to public records. Pazienza’s fiance is listed as the owner, along with a relative.
Pazienza and her fiance both attended high school in Port Jefferson.
Her parents Daniel and Caroline have not yet commented on her arrest.
Pazienza and her fiance live in a one bedroom apartment in Astoria, Queens, which his family owns. Their doorman building is pictured
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk