A Long Island music teacher, Joseph Horner, is facing murder and sexual assault allegations after authorities accused him of killing his sister-in-law, Victoria Castle, inside a North Massapequa home.
Joseph Horner, 27, an elementary school music teacher in the Oceanside School District, was arrested on Monday after allegedly calling 911 and admitting to attacking Castle, according to Nassau County police and prosecutors. The case has shocked the local community and drawn widespread attention because of the disturbing allegations outlined by investigators.
ALSO READ: Word of the Day: Sesquipedalian
Who Is Joseph Horner?
Joseph Horner worked as an elementary music teacher in the Oceanside School District on Long Island, New York. According to prosecutors, Horner lived with his wife in an upstairs apartment of a multi-family home in North Massapequa.
ALSO READ: Annapurna Yojana Status Check
His sister-in-law, Victoria Castle, lived in a separate ground-floor unit of the same property. Following his arrest, Horner was placed on administrative leave from his teaching position, according to statements from the school district.
What Happened to Victoria Castle?
Authorities say Victoria Castle, 25, was attacked inside the home she shared with family members. According to officials, Joseph Horner allegedly asked Victoria Castle to help him move a piano while his wife was away attending a bachelorette party. Investigators claim he then attacked her from behind, placing her in a chokehold before sexually assaulting her.
Police said Horner called 911 at approximately 8:45 a.m. on Monday and remained at the scene until officers arrived. Emergency responders transported Castle to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Prosecutors Allege Long-Term Obsession
During court proceedings, prosecutors alleged that Horner had been fixated on Castle for years. According to the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, Horner met both Castle and his future wife in 2016 and had allegedly been harboring feelings for his sister-in-law since around 2017.
Prosecutors argued that Horner took advantage of his wife's absence to carry out the attack.
Who Was Victoria Castle?
Victoria Castle was a PhD student at Stony Brook University, according to prosecutors.
Friends and family members have remembered her as an accomplished academic with a promising future ahead of her. Her death has left relatives and members of the university community devastated. The New York doctoral student hauntingly called him “one of the most wonderful people in the world” in a celebratory Facebook post on the day he married her sister, according to The Post.
Charges Against Joseph Horner
Horner has been charged with:
- Second-degree murder
- Additional charges related to the alleged sexual assault
According to prosecutors, he is being held without bail. Court records indicate that Horner pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.
Oceanside School District Responds
Following Horner's arrest, the Oceanside School District confirmed that he had been placed on administrative leave.
The allegations have stunned many who knew him through his teaching career.
Defense Attorney's Statement
Horner's attorney, Gregory Grizopoulos, addressed the allegations in a statement following the court appearance. “These are very serious and disturbing allegations, and there’s a very stark contrast between the allegations and his beloved reputation that he had as a teacher, with both his students and his fellow teachers.”
The attorney also commented on the impact the case has had on Horner's family. “His family is devastated by the loss of their family member, Victoria, as well as the allegations against their son, Joe. We’ll continue to evaluate the evidence as more details are disclosed to us.”
Investigation Continues
The investigation remains ongoing as Nassau County authorities continue gathering evidence and preparing for future court proceedings.
Prosecutors have described the allegations as particularly disturbing, while family members continue mourning the loss of Victoria Castle. As the case moves through the legal system, investigators are expected to provide additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding her death.
FAQs
Who is Joseph Horner?
Joseph Horner is a 27-year-old elementary music teacher from the Oceanside School District on Long Island who has been charged in connection with the death of his sister-in-law, Victoria Castle.
Who was Victoria Castle?
Victoria Castle was a 25-year-old PhD student at Stony Brook University and the sister of Horner's wife.
What charges does Joseph Horner face?
Horner has been charged with second-degree murder and other offenses related to the alleged sexual assault, according to prosecutors.
Where did the incident take place?
The incident occurred at a multi-family home in North Massapequa, Long Island, where Horner and Castle lived in separate apartments.
Has Joseph Horner pleaded guilty?
No. According to court records, Horner has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
Is Joseph Horner still employed as a teacher?
The Oceanside School District has stated that Horner has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest.
