An Oceanside School District music teacher is accused of fatally strangling his daughter-in-law in North Massapequa.
Nassau County police said Tuesday they arrested Joseph Horner, 27, and charged him with second-degree murder in the death of Victoria Castle.
According to investigators, officers responded to 285 N Oak Street around 8:45 a.m. Monday after Horner called 911 for an ambulance for the injured woman.
When they arrived, police said they found Horner outside the home.
Officials said the home was an apartment building divided into two apartments; Horner and his wife, who was not home at the time and was not involved, lived upstairs, and Horner’s wife’s sister lived on the first floor.
Inside, police said they found Castle on the floor of the first-floor apartment. She was taken to the hospital where she died at 9:25 a.m., officials said.
Police said Castle was a graduate student at Stony Brook University and Horner had known her since 2016, when he met his wife.
At Horner’s arraignment, a Nassau prosecutor said that while Horner’s wife was away, he saw an opportunity to fulfill a “sexual desire” he had for his daughter-in-law.
Horner allegedly admitted to lusting after his wife’s sister since 2017.
He asked for help moving a piano and then, without warning, attacked her and put her in a chokehold until her body went limp, prosecutors said. He then allegedly took her to bed and had sex with her. He then called 911. The prosecutor said he later admitted to authorities that he choked her and then had sex with her.
Horner has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and is being held without bail.
His lawyer said his client is a tenured teacher who is well-liked by his students and colleagues.
Nassau County police said Horner acted alone and had no interactions with law enforcement or previous arrests.
Investigators placed the Nassau County area on lockdown for 12 hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.
In a statement, Oceanside Schools Superintendent Phyllis Harrington told News 12, “According to the Nassau County Police Department, an Oceanside School District employee was recently arrested on a murder charge. Nassau County officials indicated that the allegations have nothing to do with the school district or its students. We understand that this news is deeply disturbing. The employee was immediately placed on administrative leave pending further review. We do not have any additional information at this time. The Oceanside School District is committed to maintaining a safe, professional and trustworthy environment for our students, staff and community. We always stand by this commitment.”
Nassau County police have charged Horner with one count of second-degree murder. If found guilty, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.