Julia Nussenbaum

Who was Julia Nussenbaum?

Julia Nussenbaum was a violinist who studied at the Juilliard School in New York. She initially performed professionally as a classical musician, but was persuaded to move to night club playing by Mischa Rosenbaum. She then performed under the name of Tania Lubova and/or Tania Lee Lova. She was murdered by Rosenbaum, 31, who had become her manager/ director in a West 43rd Street, Manhattan, New York rehearsal studio, in 1937.

Rosenbaum was a married man when he became infatuated with Nussenbaum, although he had been separated from his wife for two years. On the day prior to the slaying Rosenbaum telephoned Nussenbaum and arranged a meeting, to which she reluctantly agreed. Prior to their rendezvous at the studio Rosenbaum became intoxicated drinking red wine. Rosenbaum found a hammer at the Hotel Normandie which he brought with him to the meeting. He claimed that Nussenbaum struck him on the arm and shoulder with a stick before he hit her on the forehead, causing injuries from which she subsequently died.

Rosenbaum hid her unconscious body behind a soundproof curtain, where she was found some hours later by Moya Engels, a dancer.