Long Island Man Accused of Killing and Sexually Assaulting Sister-in-Law After Years of Alleged Obsession
NORTH MASSAPEQUA, New York — A Long Island man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 25-year-old sister-in-law, whose body was discovered inside a North Massapequa home Monday morning.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, officers responded to a residence on North Oak Street at approximately 8:44 a.m. on June 29 after receiving a 911 call requesting an ambulance for a woman who was not breathing.
When officers arrived, they found the victim, later identified as Victoria Castle of Massapequa, unresponsive. Police administered CPR before she was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Following a homicide investigation, detectives arrested Joseph Horner, 27, of North Massapequa, at the scene. Horner has been charged with second-degree murder.
Investigators later alleged that Horner confessed to the killing and told detectives he had been sexually attracted to Castle for years. According to police, Horner allegedly asked Castle to help him move a piano while his wife—Castle’s sister—was away before attacking her.
Authorities allege Horner strangled and sexually assaulted Castle before changing his clothes and calling 911.
Castle was a doctoral student studying geology at Stony Brook University. Horner worked as a music teacher in the Oceanside Union Free School District.
Horner was arraigned on June 30, where he pleaded not guilty. A judge ordered him held without bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for July 2.
His attorney has denied the allegations, saying they are inconsistent with how his family, friends, and community know him.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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