American singing coach Barbara Maier Gustern died on Tuesday morning due to injuries she sustained in a random street attack last week. She was 87. The news of Barbara's death was announced by her grandson AJ Gustern on her Facebook page where he posted a photo of him holding her hand in her last moments. He wrote, "Today, at 11:15AM, we have lost one of the brightest little flames to ever grace this world. I ask that you all give me a little time and space, but I want to make time for anyone and everyone who wants to know more about her final moments. Bobbob, I love you, you are and always will be my heart. I love you all so much, I could not have made it through these past 5 days without all of your support." 

The attack on Barbara is said to have happened outside her apartment in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, New York, and caused severe brain trauma. Reports state that she was able to provide a description to EMS workers about the incident and revealed that she was pushed from behind by an unknown woman before she went into a coma while being escorted to the Bellevue Medical Center. On March 10, Gustern, who is a well-respected name on Broadway, was said to be en route to the Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub venue for the performance of a student, when she was knocked down to the ground from behind by an unknown woman. NYPD Crime Stoppers has released video footage of the female suspect on Twitter who is seen wearing a black jacket and a white skirt or dress. No arrests have been made so far. New York State Sen. Brad Hoylman too posted the video on social media on Monday requesting the public for information.

Some of Gustern's notable students included playwright and actor Taylor Mac, performer Justin Vivian Bond and Blondie’s Debbie Harry. Prior to the attack, the acclaimed singing coach, who previously tutored the cast of Daniel Fish’s Broadway revival of Oklahoma! in 2019, had been rehearsing for an upcoming cabaret show in her apartment in Chelsea with her associates Barbara Bleier, Paul Greenwood, and actor-playwright Austin Pendleton.