Crime
Damien Hurstel Charged in Fatal Stabbing and Decapitation of His Stepfather Anthony Casalaspro on Staten Island
WEST BRIGHTON, Staten Island — A 19-year-old man is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly stabbing his 45-year-old stepfather to death inside their Staten Island home on Monday afternoon.
According to the New York City Police Department, Damien Hurstel, 19, has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the killing of Anthony Casalaspro, 45, his stepfather.
Police responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at 380 Cary Avenue in the West Brighton neighborhood shortly before 4:30 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Casalaspro unresponsive in the bathtub with multiple stab wounds to his head and neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say Hurstel’s sister arrived at the residence around 4:00 p.m. and found blood throughout several rooms before discovering her stepfather’s body in the bathroom. She immediately alerted authorities.
Police sources described the scene as extremely violent, confirming that the victim had sustained severe injuries and that the weapon — a knife — was recovered at the scene.
Hurstel was taken into custody without incident shortly after police arrived. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive, but investigators are exploring the possibility that the suspect may have a history of mental illness.
Neighbors expressed shock and disbelief at the gruesome nature of the crime.
“This whole world is upside down,” said one longtime resident. “It’s terrible — you don’t do this to another person, not even to an animal.”
Another neighbor, Hugh Nembhard, who has lived across the street for six decades, said the neighborhood has changed in recent years. “I saw the father, but never the stepson,” Nembhard said. “This is a complete shock to me.”
The NYPD’s Homicide Division is leading the investigation.
Authorities continue to process evidence and interview witnesses to determine what led to the fatal stabbing.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
SOUTHGATE, MI — Police are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred Tuesday afternoon inside a Kroger store located near Fort Street and Pennsylvania Road in the Downriver area.
According to the Southgate Police Department, officers responded to reports of a stabbing inside the store and discovered a 23-year-old male victim suffering from critical injuries.
Despite lifesaving efforts by first responders, the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
Police have described the event as an isolated incident, with no ongoing threat to the public.
Witnesses at the scene told reporters that the altercation may have involved store employees.
According to Anthony DeGregorio, whose sister works at the store, the confrontation reportedly began when the boyfriend of an employee came to confront another worker accused of inappropriate behavior toward his girlfriend. “It was two younger guys — one being an employee and the other the boyfriend of an employee,” DeGregorio told Channel2 NOW. “It broke out into a fight that ended with the employee pulling a knife. My sister and several women had previously reported him for harassment, and nothing was ever done. Now, this happened.”
DeGregorio also claimed the suspect held a managerial position within the store. The confrontation allegedly escalated from a verbal dispute into a physical altercation that turned deadly.
Police have not yet released the identities of either the victim or the suspect pending family notifications and further investigation.
Detectives remained at the scene throughout the evening, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.
The Southgate Police Department stated that the investigation is ongoing and that additional information will be released as it becomes available.