A 19-year-old individual named Damien Hurstel has been accused of confessing to the police about brutally killing his mother’s boyfriend, Anthony Casalaspro, by bludgeoning him with a meat tenderiser. Hurstel allegedly shared graphic details with the authorities, including his plan to liquefy the victim’s body in a blender and dispose of it down the toilet, starting with the brain.
Law enforcement sources reported that Hurstel, who appeared calm during his confession, is likely to face charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Casalaspro was found with multiple stab wounds to the neck and head, with his head removed using a hacksaw. Hurstel revealed that the incident occurred following an argument with his mother, Alicia Zayas.
The gruesome discovery of Casalaspro’s decapitated body was made by Hurstel’s 16-year-old sister upon returning home. Hurstel allegedly tried to shield his sister from witnessing the horrific scene by telling her he had done something terrible. The mother, upon being informed, reacted with shock and distress, screaming and vomiting in the street.
Eyewitnesses described Hurstel, dressed in blood-stained clothing, as compliant and seemingly relieved as he was escorted out of the house by law enforcement. Despite having specks of blood on his face, he appeared calm as he followed police instructions to enter a patrol car.
Reports suggest that Hurstel has a history of mental illness, possibly being schizophrenic, and the victim, Casalaspro, was a retired worker from the Department of Sanitation, forced into disability retirement due to severe vision loss. Louis Ortiz, a close friend of Casalaspro, mentioned that the couple had their share of challenges with the children, indicating varying dynamics within the family.
Hurstel was scheduled for arraignment on charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon, but he reportedly experienced a seizure en route to the Staten Island courthouse and had to be taken to a hospital for medical attention.