Lauren Pazienza arrest: Funeral for slain NYC vocal coach set as grandson speaks out

The NYC funeral of 87-year-old famed Broadway vocal coach Barbara Gustern – who was allegedly knocked to the bottom by occasion planner Lauren Pazienza – can be held Saturday, her grandson instructed Fox Information Digital.

NYC EVENTS COORDINATOR LAUREN PAZIENZA ‘STILL TOGETHER’ WITH FIANCE 

“She was undoubtedly the sunshine of the room when she walked in,” mentioned grandson AJ Gustern. “She opened her doorways to anyone and everyone. She taught opera singers, rock stars and everyone in between.” 

The beloved trainer counted Debbie Harry and actor Taylor Mac amongst her college students. “Everyone knew her or wished to know her,” he mentioned.

Style Institute of Expertise graduate Pazienza, 26, is charged with first-degree manslaughter and two counts of assault for violently shoving Gustern, who fell to the bottom, smacking her head towards the pavement, court docket papers allege.

Gustern, who didn’t know her assailant, was rushed to the hospital with a mind damage and died a number of days later, in keeping with police and prosecutors.  Pazienza fled.

Composite of Lauren Pazienza’s mugshot and perp stroll.

AJ Gustern flew from Colorado the second he obtained the tragic information and held his grandmother’s hand when she was taken off life assist.

“I used to be glad to be with my greatest buddy when she handed away,” he mentioned. Her solely baby and husband predeceased her.

NYC SOCIALITE ACCUSED IN ELDERLY SHOVE DEATH BULLIED CLASSMATES IN SCHOOL

Gustern’s funeral can be held on the Church of the Holy Apostles in Chelsea — throughout the road from her condo, the place she typically taught her college students, and on the identical block the place she was mortally injured. 

Manslaughter suspect Lauren Pazienza’s yearbook picture (Fox Information Digital)
(Fox Information Digital)

The tragedy unfolded March 10 at about 8:30 p.m. after Gustern wrapped up a cabaret rehearsal at her condo with mates and fellow performers Barbara Bleier, Paul Greenwood and Austin Pendleton.

Gustern dashed out of the constructing to move to a scholar’s efficiency at Joe’s Pub when Pazienza allegedly crossed the road, known as her a “b–ch” and pushed her in an unprovoked assault, court docket papers cost.

NYC WOMAN CHARGED IN BROADWAY COACH’S DEATH WATCHED AS AMBULANCE ARRIVED AT SCENE, THEN WENT INTO HIDING: COPS 

A male bicyclist who witnessed the assault, carried Gustern, who was bleeding profusely from her head, into her constructing. Bleier was nonetheless within the foyer and rushed to her buddy’s facet. 

Gustern allegedly instructed her a lady with lengthy hair had hit her tougher than she’s ever been hit in her life, then misplaced consciousness, in keeping with the criticism. 

Bleier declined to debate the moments main as much as her buddy’s demise for worry of jeopardizing the case – however described her as a “outstanding particular person.”  

Barbar Gustern in an undated picture. 
(Barbara Maier Gustern/Fb)

“I do not assume I’ve ever heard anyone say a nasty phrase about her,” Bleier instructed Fox Information Digital. “She was some of the beneficiant, non-judgemental, and caring those who I’ve ever met. Her loss has impacted the theatrical, musical theater and cabaret communities.”

NY WOMAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER AFTER TURNING SELF IN FOR DEATH OF BROADWAY VOCAL COACH, SOURCES SAY

Gustern’s age had not slowed her down, Bleier mentioned. “She was the quickest walker I do know. She’d run down 17 flights of stairs. She was a 4-feet-11, 87-pound ball of power,” she recalled. “She was a very loving, variety particular person.”

She added, “Of all of the individuals for this to have occurred to, it should not have been Barbara.”

Greenwood, Pendleton and Bleier will carry out the cabaret present that they had rehearsed with Gustern at “Do not Inform Mama” in Manhattan with out her. Gustern had directed the present, which featured Stephen Sondheim and Oscar Hammerstein numbers, and was speculated to carry out three songs. Bleier mentioned all proceeds can be donated to the Church of the Apostles soup kitchen – Gustern’s favored charity.

Investigators finally tracked Pazienza to her father or mother’s house in Port Jefferson, Lengthy Island, after she abruptly stop her job and scrubbed her social media accounts – together with an internet site for her upcoming wedding ceremony in June to Microsoft worker Naveen Pereira. 

She’s being held at Riker’s Island in lieu of $500,000 money over $1 million bond. Protection lawyer Arthur Aidala mentioned he anticipated her household to publish bail within the subsequent two days.