A Long Island music teacher has been accused of sexually assaulting and strangling his sister-in-law, whom he had allegedly lusted over for years, while his wife was away for a bachelorette party. Joseph Horner, 27, is accused of killing Victoria Castle, 25, at their shared home in North Massapequa on Monday. He reportedly called 911 himself around 8:45 a.m. and admitted to the crime.
Horner, a music teacher in the Oceanside School District, lived in an upstairs apartment of the multi-family home, while Castle resided in the ground-floor unit, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors stated that Horner took advantage of his wife’s absence to act on urges he had for Castle, whom he had reportedly been fixated on since 2017.
Prosecutors allege that Horner asked Castle to help him move a piano. He then allegedly attacked her from behind, placed her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness, disrobed her, and sexually assaulted her. After the alleged assault, Horner called 911 and waited for authorities to arrive. He immediately confessed to detectives that he had choked and sexually assaulted his sister-in-law, according to the district attorney's office.
Castle was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead less than an hour after the 911 call. Horner was arrested at the scene and charged with second-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
Horner’s attorney, Gregory Grizopoulos, stated that his client's family is devastated by the loss of Victoria and the allegations against Joseph. He added that they would continue to evaluate the evidence as more details emerge. Grizopoulos also noted that the allegations stand in stark contrast to Horner's reputation as a teacher. Horner has been placed on administrative leave from his teaching position by the Oceanside School District.