19-Year-Old Damien Hurstel Charged in Gruesome Staten Island Murder After Fatally Stabbing and Decapitating Stepfather Anthony Casalaspro

19-Year-Old Damien Hurstel Charged in Gruesome Staten Island Murder After Fatally Stabbing and Decapitating Stepfather Anthony Casalaspro

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A shocking and gruesome crime has rocked a quiet Staten Island neighborhood after authorities announced the arrest of 19-year-old Damien Hurstel, who is accused of fatally stabbing and decapitating his 45-year-old stepfather, Anthony Casalaspro, inside their family home on Monday afternoon. The disturbing case has left the local community in disbelief and sparked widespread outrage and sorrow.

According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), officers responded to a 911 call shortly after 2:00 p.m. regarding a reported assault at a residence on Richmond Avenue in Staten Island’s Eltingville neighborhood. When police arrived, they discovered a grisly scene: Casalaspro was found deceased, having suffered multiple stab wounds and catastrophic injuries that authorities described as consistent with decapitation.

Detectives immediately took Hurstel into custody at the scene without incident. According to law enforcement officials, the young man appeared “distraught but calm” when approached by responding officers. A blood-stained knife believed to be the weapon used in the attack was recovered inside the home.

Neighbors described the scene as horrifying and surreal. “I saw all the police cars, and then they started putting up tape everywhere,” one local resident recounted. “When I heard what happened, I couldn’t believe it — this is the kind of thing you only see on the news, not on your own street.”

Authorities have not publicly commented on a potential motive but confirmed that the incident stemmed from a violent domestic altercation between Hurstel and his stepfather. Sources close to the investigation told local outlets that tensions in the household had been ongoing for some time, though no prior police reports of violence at the residence have been confirmed.

The NYPD’s 123rd Precinct and the Staten Island District Attorney’s Office are jointly investigating the case. On Tuesday, prosecutors formally charged Damien Hurstel with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and other related offenses. He was arraigned in Staten Island Criminal Court and is being held without bail pending further court proceedings.

Assistant District Attorney Julia Price described the case as “one of the most brutal acts of domestic violence this borough has seen in years,” emphasizing the devastating impact on both the victim’s family and the surrounding community.

Family members and friends of Anthony Casalaspro have been left reeling from the horrific loss. Casalaspro, remembered by loved ones as a hardworking and kind-hearted man, reportedly worked in construction and was devoted to his family. A relative described him as “a good man who didn’t deserve to die this way.”

The home where the murder took place remains sealed off as investigators continue to process evidence. Police are also reviewing nearby surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to piece together the sequence of events leading up to the fatal confrontation.

As news of the killing spread, the Staten Island community expressed deep sorrow and disbelief over the violent act that unfolded in their midst. Local leaders have urged residents to come together in support of one another and to remain vigilant about domestic tensions that can escalate into violence.

This tragedy serves as another grim reminder of the dangers of unchecked domestic conflict and the importance of mental health intervention and family support.