New images of the suspect in the killing of a popular New York City singing coach have been released by police amid an appeal for more information.
Barbara Gustern, 87, was attacked while walking home along West 28th Street and Eighth Avenue in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan at 8.30pm on 10 March, the New York Police Department reported.
Ms Gustern fell and hit her head during the attack, suffering fatal injuries. She later died in hospital.
The female suspect fled the scene towards 9th Avenue. The new images appeared to be from a New York subway station surveillance camera.
Students of the Manhattan woman who were rehearsing at her apartment told The New York Times a cyclist who witnessed the attack escorted Ms Gustern back to her apartment covered in blood. Emergency responders then responded.
Police are still searching for the suspect who according to NBC News exchanged no words with Ms Gustern before attacking the singing coach from behind. No motive is known.
Among those to pay tribute to Ms Gustern were cast members and her colleagues from the 2019 Broadway revival of the musical “Oklahoma!”The New York Times reported. Ms Gustern also worked with Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry.
“Barbara Maier Gustern was 87 years young. Voice coach. Kind neighbour,” said ABC7 New York’s Lucy Young in a Facebook post on Friday. “She always opened her table during the holidays to anyone without family. Ultimate NYer. She walked everywhere. In fact, she was walking to her student’s concert when the sweet grandmother was pushed to the ground. The fall proved fatal”.
Singer and songwriter Justin Vivian Bond, who visited Ms Gustern’s grandson on Friday, said Facebook that “We all loved her and I’m sure each of us felt like we were her favourite.” She also recalled Ms Gustern’s 85th birthday party, which was “unforgettable” and “That night it seemed like half the city took turns singing.“
Ms Vivian also visited a small memorial to the singing coach near Ms Gustern’s Chelsea home, which has been adnorned with flowers and messages.
NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said that the attack on Ms Gustern was a “disgusting, disgraceful offense committed against a vulnerable, elderly female who was doing nothing but walking down the streets of New York City”, and again appealed for information.
Police described the suspect as “a female with a light complexion and long dark colored hair”.
It also said that the individual “was last seen wearing a black jacket, black leggings, white skirt (possibly a dress) and dark colored shoes”.
