New York woman wanted for allegedly fatally shoving 87-year-old vocal coach turns herself in
03/22/2022 2:40 pm PDT
NEW YORK (TCD) -- A 26-year-old woman who was wanted for allegedly shoving an 87-year-old vocal teacher turned herself in on Tuesday, March 22.
According to WNBC-TV, on March 10 at approximately 8:30 p.m., vocal coach Barbara Gustern was steps away from her home on a sidewalk near West 28th Street and Eighth Avenue in Chelsea when Lauren Pazienza reportedly attacked her. The alleged shove was unprovoked, and Pazienza casually walked off after the incident, WNBC reports.
Gustern suffered traumatic brain damage after falling and hitting her head. Five days after the alleged assault, Gustern succumbed to her injuries, WABC-TV reports.
Gustern was reportedly on her way to attend a student’s performance before the fatal attack. Police released surveillance video from a subway station and asked for the public’s assistance in finding the suspect, WNBC reports.
This week, Pazienza turned herself in at the 10th Precinct, WABC reports. She was reportedly charged with manslaughter.
According to WNBC, Pazienza’s bail was set at $500,000.
Gustern was reportedly an acclaimed vocal coach who trained singers including rock star Debbie Harry and the cast of the 2019 Broadway revival of the musical "Oklahoma!"
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