Joseph Horner's Murder and Rape in North Massapequa, New York

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SUMMARY

Joseph Horner, a music teacher in Nassau County, New York, was arrested and charged with the murder and rape of his sister-in-law, Victoria Castle, in June 2026. Following his arraignments, grand jury indictment, and plea of not guilty, he remains held without bail.

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July 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Grand Jury Indictment and Supreme Court Arraignment

    Joseph Horner was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned before acting Supreme Court Justice Howard Sturim in Nassau County Court in Mineola. He pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree rape, and was remanded without bail.

June 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Initial Arraignment and School District Suspension

    Joseph Horner was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on an initial second-degree murder charge and ordered held without bail. Concurrently, the Oceanside School District placed Horner on immediate administrative leave.

  2. Attack and Arrest of Joseph Horner

    Joseph Horner attacked and strangled his 25-year-old sister-in-law, Victoria Castle, at their multi-family home in North Massapequa, New York, while his wife was out of town. Castle was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Horner was arrested at the scene by the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad.