Barbara Maier Gustern was shoved from behind outside her Chelsea residence.

Friends found the well-known and beloved voice coach in the apartment lobby covered in blood. A bicyclist spotted the injured 87-year-old on the street and brought her in. Gustern hit her head during the attack and was taken to a hospital for medical treatment. She ultimately passed away from her injuries after being placed on life support.

Police released security footage of the incident, which showed Lauren Pazienza reportedly shoving Gustern before running away. Police, also say the suspect returned to watch, as the victim was carried away by ambulance. 

Lauren Pazienza was facing manslaughter charges. Initially, she pleaded not guilty but has now changed her plea to guilty to first-degree manslaughter. Justice Felicia Mennin sentenced Pazienza to 8 years, but then tacked on another 6 months, blasting Pazienza for her “inability to take responsibility for her actions.” 

Pazienza had given a probation officer conflicting stories about her involvement in events surrounding the attack, claiming that she simply “ran into” the victim.

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

• AJ Maier Gustern - Grandson of Victim
• James Shelnutt – Attorney – The Shelnutt Law Firm, P.C.; 27-year Atlanta Metro Area Major Case Detective and Former S.W.A.T. Officer; Twitter: @ShelnuttLawFirm
• Dr. Angela Arnold – Psychiatrist, Atlanta GA.; Expert in the Treatment of Pregnant/Postpartum Women, Former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology: Emory University; Former Medical Director of The Psychiatric Ob-Gyn Clinic at Grady Memorial Hospital; Voted My Buckhead’s Best Psychiatric Practice of 2022
•  Dr. Michael Baden– Former Chief Medical Examiner of New York City and past Co-Director of the New York State Police Medico-Legal Investigations Unit- Author: “American Autopsy”
• Tony DeStefano – Special Writer, Newsday; Author: “The Deadly Dob: Vito Genovese” and “Mafia Boss;” Twitter: @TonyNewsDay, Instagram: @Tony.Destefano.Newsday