Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Woman who killed Broadway vocal coach to serve 8 years after guilty plea, DA says
By
Charles Lane
Published Aug 23, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Charles Lane
Published Aug 23, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Lauren Pazienza will serve eight years in prison for shoving and killing a Broadway vocal coach, according to a plea agreement announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on Wednesday.
“Lauren Pazienza aggressively shoved Barbara Gustern to the ground and walked away as the beloved New Yorker lay there bleeding,” said Bragg in a statement. “Today’s plea holds Pazienza accountable for her deadly actions.”
Gustern, 87, was shoved to the ground in March 2022 in Chelsea between Eighth and Ninth avenues. She was conscious at first, but underwent surgery for a massive hemorrhage and died five days later after she was removed from life support.
According to Bragg’s office, Pazienza shouted obscenities at Gustern, shoved her, and left her bleeding on the ground. She stayed in the area for roughly 20 minutes, before returning to the Astoria apartment she shared with her fiancé.
Authorities say Pazienza, 27, then deleted her social media accounts and wedding website before fleeing to her family on Long Island.
Pazienza pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will serve five years of supervision following her prison term.
Tagged
Alvin Bragg
public safety
culture
broadway
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Parks police told a yoga teacher to leash her dog. It got ugly.
Jurors ruled against Sabrina Toner, finding that the officers did not use excessive force.
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 10:54 a.m. ET
Early Addition: There's finally stuff inside the Times Square tower where the ball drops
Because it used to sit vacant for most of the year, here are your early links: Rangers goalie scored, "It's a Wonderful Life" coming to Broadway, there's dignity in scaffolding and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: There's finally stuff inside the Times Square tower where the ball drops
Because it used to sit vacant for most of the year, here are your early links: Rangers goalie scored, "It's a Wonderful Life" coming to Broadway, there's dignity in scaffolding and more.
By
James Ramsay
NYC subway dragging death highlights an old school MTA failsafe
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
'We were the victim': Brooklyn shelter's new CEO speaks after corruption scandal
By
Ryan Kost
Badly burned body found in a trashed and abandoned Jamaica Queens lot, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .