Damien Hurstel, Staten Island Teen with Schizophrenia, Charged with Murder After Beheading Stepfather Anthony Casalaspro

A 19-year-old Staten Island man, Damien Hurstel, has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after allegedly decapitating his stepfather, 45-year-old Anthony Casalaspro, at their home in West Brighton.

Police responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at 380 Cary Avenue just before 4:30 p.m. Monday, where they discovered Casalaspro’s body in the bathtub with multiple stab wounds to the head and neck. Authorities confirmed the victim had been decapitated with a hacksaw, and the murder weapon was found lodged in the body.

The horrific scene was discovered by Hurstel’s 16-year-old sister, who came home from school around 4 p.m. and found blood throughout the house before discovering the body. The suspect reportedly told her that he had “done something bad.”

Damien Hurstel, Staten Island Teen with Schizophrenia, Charged with Murder After Beheading Stepfather Anthony Casalaspro

According to police sources, the attack followed an argument earlier that morning between Hurstel and his mother. Casalaspro, who was the mother’s boyfriend, told Hurstel to take a walk to calm down. When the teen returned and found his mother gone, he allegedly launched a violent attack on Casalaspro, first beating him with a meat tenderizer before attempting to dismember the body.

Sources told the New York Post that Hurstel admitted to police he wanted to “know what it was like to kill someone” and had tried to cut up the body to destroy the remains.

Casalaspro, a retired New York City sanitation worker, had been living with Hurstel’s mother for several years. Neighbors said the home had been the scene of repeated domestic violence incidents and noted that Hurstel had a history of mental health struggles, including schizophrenia.

Authorities are still investigating the crime and assessing the suspect’s mental health status. Hurstel remains in custody pending further charges.

Pictured, Anthony Casalaspro, Staten Island man decapitated by his 19 year old teen stepson.