Going through photos of singing coach Barbara Maier Gustern, Michal Gamily mourned her friend and singing coach.

“She had so much energy so positive,” said Gamily, a theater director and performer. “This is not a way to go. This is just devastating and awful.”

Gustern was attacked on March 10 as she was leaving her Chelsea apartment after a rehearsal. Police say she was thrown to the ground by a passerby and hit her head. She was taken to Bellevue Hospital for massive bleeding to her head and died on March 15. Gamily rushed to the hospital to see the 87-year-old.


What You Need To Know

  • Police released new images of the person wanted in connection to Barbara Maier Gustern's death

  • A memorial grows in Chelsea honoring Gustern

  • La Mama Experimental Theater Club recognized Gursten for her career and impact Saturday

  • Colleagues and friends in the theater community say the 87-year-old had a “great impact on all the people who came into contact with her"

“I managed to go in. It was as bad as you could imagine, but her face was still so beautiful,” Gamily said. “I just kept saying AJ, her grandson, is on the way. AJ is on the way and please please please stay with us.”

As they search for a suspect, police released images of the person wanted in connection to Gustern’s death.

Police released these images of a suspect in the death of Barbara Maier Gustern. (NYPD)

Gustern coached the Broadway cast of Oklahoma in 2019 and had a who’s who of clients, including Debbie Harry, the lead vocalist of Blondie.

On Saturday, La Mama Experimental Theater Club acknowledged her for her expertise as a coach but also for her character.

“Her loss is immeasurable and it’s been a very hard week for all of us who knew Barbara,” said Nicky Paraiso, La Mama’s programming director.

Near her apartment on 28th street between 8th and 9th Avenues, mourners lay flowers and messages in her honor.

Marco Lopez lives in the area and now is concerned for his and his family’s safety.

“Tragic to say the least. I’m a native of the area so when I heard about it that evening on the news I was taken aback because I usually walk my dog around that area,” Lopez said. “So I wanted to come up this block just to see if there was any police activity or anything and I see the memorial they have and it is just a bit too surreal.”

Gusterns funeral service will be held on March 26 at Holy Apostles’s Church in Chelsea.

If you have any information about the attack, the NYPD asks you to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-577 TIPS.