A peaceful Staten Island neighborhood has been shaken to its core after police uncovered a grisly homicide that left a 45-year-old man dead and his teenage stepson facing murder charges.
Authorities say 19-year-old Damien Hurstel has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon following the brutal killing of his stepfather, Anthony Casalaspro, inside their home on Cary Avenue in West Brighton.
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Police responded to a 911 call just before 4:30 p.m. Monday, after Hurstel’s 16-year-old sister discovered a trail of blood leading through the home. When she followed it to the bathroom, she found her stepfather’s body in the tub with multiple stab wounds to the head and neck — and a knife still lodged in the wound. Casalaspro was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later confirmed that the attack was even more horrific than initially reported — the victim had been decapitated, an act authorities described as “extremely violent and deliberate.”
Hurstel was taken into custody without resistance and appeared emotionless as police escorted him from the home. Sources said he was later seen leaving the 120th Precinct wearing a blood-stained Tyvek suit.
While detectives have not yet determined a clear motive, officials are reportedly exploring mental health issues as a possible factor. Early reports suggest Hurstel may have a documented psychiatric history, and some sources indicate he may have made statements alluding to an uncontrollable urge to kill.
Longtime residents of the typically quiet block expressed disbelief at the tragedy. “I’ve lived here for 60 years and never seen anything like this,” said neighbor Hugh Nembhard. “You just can’t imagine something so horrific happening right across the street.” Another neighbor added, “This is beyond comprehension — you don’t even treat an animal like that.”
The NYPD Homicide Division continues to investigate the chilling case, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together what led to the deadly attack. Hurstel’s arraignment has been delayed after reports that he suffered a seizure while being transported to court.
As the investigation unfolds, the West Brighton community remains in shock — trying to reconcile how an ordinary family home became the scene of one of Staten Island’s most disturbing crimes in recent memory.