West Brighton Tragedy: 19-Year-Old Charged with Murder After Fatally Stabbing Stepfather Inside Staten Island Home
WEST BRIGHTON, Staten Island — A quiet Staten Island neighborhood was rocked by violence Monday afternoon when a 19-year-old man allegedly stabbed his stepfather to death inside their shared home. Police say the grisly scene unfolded at a residence on Cary Avenue in the West Brighton section of Staten Island, leaving the community shaken and searching for answers.
According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD), officers responded to a 911 call just before 4:30 p.m. reporting a stabbing inside the home at 380 Cary Avenue. When first responders arrived, they discovered 45-year-old Anthony Casalaspro, unresponsive and suffering from multiple stab wounds to the head and neck. He was found in the bathtub, surrounded by evidence of a violent struggle. Despite the rapid response of emergency personnel, Casalaspro was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have identified the suspect as Damien Hurstel, 19, who has since been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Investigators confirmed that the murder weapon, a knife, was recovered at the scene.
Authorities say that Hurstel’s sister made the horrifying discovery after arriving home around 4:00 p.m. She reportedly found blood throughout several rooms of the house before uncovering her stepfather’s body in the bathroom. She immediately called 911, prompting a swift response from police and emergency services.
Law enforcement sources described the crime scene as “extremely violent”, noting the intensity of the attack and the extent of the victim’s injuries. Detectives from the NYPD’s Homicide Division and Crime Scene Unit spent hours processing evidence, collecting forensic samples, and documenting the area in an effort to piece together what led to the fatal confrontation.
Hurstel was taken into custody without incident shortly after officers arrived. Police have not yet revealed a motive for the attack, but sources indicated that investigators are exploring the possibility that the suspect may have a history of mental illness or behavioral issues.
Neighbors in the typically quiet West Brighton neighborhood expressed deep sorrow and disbelief over the shocking event. Many said the family had lived in the area for years without incident.
“This whole world is upside down,” said one longtime resident who lives nearby. “It’s terrible — you don’t do this to another person, not even to an animal. It’s just heartbreaking.”
Another neighbor, Hugh Nembhard, who has lived across the street for more than six decades, said he had seen Casalaspro occasionally but knew little about the rest of the family. “I saw the father, but never the stepson,” he said. “This is a complete shock to me. We never thought something like this could happen here.”
Police have continued to maintain a presence at the scene as they interview witnesses and await autopsy results from the Medical Examiner’s Office, which will officially determine Casalaspro’s cause of death. The NYPD emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing as detectives work to uncover what may have triggered such a brutal act of domestic violence.
The tragedy has left residents of West Brighton mourning the loss of a neighbor and father figure, while others have voiced concern over the rise of domestic incidents involving mental health struggles. Local community advocates are calling for increased support services for families in crisis to prevent future tragedies.
As the investigation unfolds, police are urging anyone with additional information about the events leading up to the stabbing to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
The horrifying death of Anthony Casalaspro serves as a painful reminder of how quickly violence can erupt within families—and how deeply such acts of brutality reverberate throughout entire communities.
