New details presented by prosecutors have outlined the sequence of events they allege led to the death of 25-year-old Victoria Castle, a doctoral student at Stony Brook University, inside a Long Island home.

According to the Nᴀssau County District Attorney’s Office, Castle’s brother-in-law, 27-year-old Joseph Horner, allegedly used a request for ᴀssistance moving a piano to bring her into his apartment before the fatal attack. Horner has been charged with second-degree murder and rape. He has pleaded not guilty, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

Authorities say the incident occurred at a multi-family residence on North Oak Street in North Mᴀssapequa, where Horner lived with his wife in an upstairs apartment while Castle occupied a separate unit on the ground floor.

Prosecutors allege Horner’s wife was out of town attending a bachelorette celebration when the incident took place.

During Horner’s arraignment, prosecutors alleged that he asked Castle to come upstairs to help move a piano.

According to the prosecution, Castle agreed to ᴀssist, believing she was responding to a routine request from a family member. Prosecutors contend that once she entered the apartment, Horner attacked her from behind, placing her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness before allegedly Sєxually ᴀssaulting her.

Those allegations reflect the prosecution’s account of the incident and remain subject to judicial review.

Investigators allege Horner later contacted emergency services and remained at the residence until police arrived.

Officers responding to the 911 call found Castle critically injured. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced ᴅᴇᴀᴅ despite emergency medical treatment.

Police arrested Horner at the scene.

During the arraignment, prosecutors further alleged that Horner had been attracted to Castle for several years after first meeting her through his future wife.

Those statements form part of the prosecution’s theory of the case and have not been established as fact by the court.

The Nᴀssau County District Attorney’s Office has charged Horner with second-degree murder and rape.

Following his arraignment, a judge ordered that he be held without bail pending further proceedings. The case is expected to continue through the New York court system, where prosecutors must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Castle was pursuing a PhD at Stony Brook University at the time of her death.

Friends, classmates, and members of the university community have expressed grief over the loss of a young researcher whose life ended unexpectedly. Family members have also begun mourning her death while asking for privacy during the ongoing legal proceedings.

The Oceanside School District, where Horner worked as a music teacher, confirmed that he has been placed on administrative leave following his arrest.

School officials stated they are monitoring the legal process and expressed sympathy for the victim’s family.

Legal experts note that evidence presented during arraignment hearings summarizes the prosecution’s allegations and is not a determination of guilt.

The allegations, witness testimony, forensic evidence, and any statements attributed to the defendant will be examined through future court proceedings before any verdict is reached.

As investigators continue processing evidence, authorities have urged the public to allow the judicial process to proceed without speculation.

The court will ultimately determine whether the prosecution has proven the charges against Horner based on the evidence presented at trial.