Famed Vocal Coach Dies After 'Senseless' Shoving Attack: NYPD

New York City NY

15 March, 2022

4:38 PM

Description

NEW YORK CITY — A famed voice coach died days after a violent shoving attack in Chelsea, police said. The death of Barbara Maier Gustern, 87, on Tuesday heated up the search for a woman who committed the "unprovoked, senseless attack," said James Essig, the NYPD's chief of detectives. "We're asking the public's help and solving this disgusting and disgraceful offense, committed against a vulnerable elderly female who was doing nothing but walking down the streets of New York City," Essig said. Video from March 10 shows an as-yet-unidentified young woman walking near West 28th Street and Eighth Avenue, where Gustern was attacked, authorities said. The woman pushed Gustern to the ground, where she hit her head, police said. Gustern soon lost consciousness and underwent emergency surgery to alleviate brain swelling, the New York Times reported. Gustern was a well-known fixture in New York City's music scene. Her students included Debbie Harry, the lead singer for Blondie, among a slew of Broadway performers, according to the Times. Police described Gustern's attacker as a woman with a light complexion and long dark hair. She was last seen wearing a black jacket, black leggings, white skirt or dress and dark shoes. People with tips are asked to call NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips.