A New York woman who pleaded guilty to killing an 87-year-old Broadway singing coach will serve eight years in prison. The woman, Lauren Pazienza, 28, killed Barbara Maier Gustern in March 2022 by shoving her on the sidewalk. According to prosecutors, Gustern was lying on the sidewalk and bleeding when Pazienza made the choice to walk away. Gustern later died in the hospital.
Authorities said that after the incident, Pazienza deleted her social media accounts and left the area to stay with her family.
On the night of the attack, Pazienza was reportedly eating at a Manhattan park with her fiancé. Pazienza was allegedly angry and stormed away after she and her fiancé were told to leave because the park was closing. On West 23rd Street, she came into contact with Gustern and shoved her. Police said it was "an unprovoked, senseless attack," according to the Associated Press.
“She had had drugs, she had maybe two bottles of wine, and a ton of marijuana (at the time),” Pazienza’s attorney, Arthur Aidala, said in 2022, according to the New York Post.
Pazienza faced up to 25 years in prison, but because she pleaded guilty, she will instead spend eight years in prison.
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Gustern was known for working with a variety of singers, including the 2019 cast members of the production of Oklahoma! and Blondie singer Debbie Harry.
