New York music teacher accused of raping and strangling his sister-in-law

A 27-year-old music teacher on Long Island is accused of luring his sister-in-law into his apartment under false pretenses, then raping and strangling her.

New York music teacher accused of raping and strangling his sister-in-law

On Monday morning in North Massapequa, a village on Long Island in New York, a 25-year-old woman was killed in a brutal attack. According to prosecutors, 27-year-old music teacher Joseph Horner lured his sister-in-law, Victoria Castle, into his apartment under the pretense of helping him move a piano. Once she arrived, authorities allege he attacked her from behind, put her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness, and then sexually assaulted her.

After the attack, Horner himself called the emergency number 911, Topky reported. When police officers arrived at the scene, he allegedly confessed to the crime. Paramedics transported the victim to a hospital, where she shortly succumbed to her injuries.

Investigators say Horner took advantage of his wife's absence — she was out of town for her bachelorette party. The couple lived on the upper floor of a family home, while the 25-year-old victim occupied an apartment on the ground floor. According to the indictment, Horner met his future wife and Victoria Castle back in 2016. Prosecutors claim he had been obsessed with his sister-in-law since at least 2017. Castle was a doctoral student at Stony Brook University.

Police detained the music teacher at the crime scene. Prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder, and the court ordered him held without bail. In court, the accused pleaded not guilty.

The Oceanside school district, where Horner worked as a music teacher, has since suspended him from duty. His defense attorney stated that the allegations are extremely serious and sharply contrast with his previously untarnished reputation among colleagues and students. He added that the family is devastated by the tragedy and that the defense will thoroughly examine all evidence presented by investigators.

Source: Google News SK