A Port
Jefferson woman has been indicted in the death of an elderly woman in
New York City.
Manhattan
District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the indictment of Lauren Pazienza, 26, in the March death of 87-year-old Barbara Gustern, who died
after being shoved to the ground.
“This
was a senseless and unprovoked attack,” said Bragg. “Barbara Gustern was a
beloved vocal coach who lived a vibrant and active life at the age of 87, and
her loss was felt deeply by many throughout the city. After allegedly walking
away from Ms. Gustern as she laid on the ground bleeding, Lauren Pazienza went
to great lengths to avoid accountability for her actions.”
Gustern
then fell in an arc directly on her head, causing a massive hemorrhage to the
left side of her brain. Officials say Pazienza walked away and left
Gustern on the ground bleeding from her head.
Gustern
suffered a head injury and died five days later.
Prosecutors say Pazienza tried
to avoid arrest by deleting her social media accounts - her online wedding
registry - and not using her cellphone.