A 27-year-old music professor was accused of murdering and sexually assaulting his sister-in-law, a 25-year-old doctoral student, in a home in North Massapequa, New York. The prosecution maintains that the crime was premeditated and that the accused waited for his wife to leave the city to commit the attack.

The suspect was identified as Joseph Horner, who faces a charge of second-degree murder for the death of Victoria Castle, the Daily Mail reported.

According to the Nassau County Prosecutor's Office, both lived in the same house, although in separate apartments. Horner lived on the upper floor with his wife, the victim's sister, while Castle occupied the ground floor.

Prosecutor's Office: the accused would have prepared the attack

According to prosecutors, Horner took advantage of the fact that his wife had traveled to attend a bridal shower and asked Castle to come up to the apartment to help him move a piano.

The young woman agreed without suspecting that, according to the accusation, she would be attacked.

Investigators maintain that Horner surprised her from behind, held her by the neck until she was unconscious, and then sexually assaulted her.

The prosecution claimed in court that the accused had developed an obsession with his sister-in-law since around 2017 and was waiting for an opportunity to be alone with her.

After the attack, Horner allegedly changed his clothes and called emergency services to request medical and police assistance.

When emergency crews arrived at the property they tried to resuscitate Castle and later took her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Authorities reported that Horner was arrested at the scene.

During the investigation, prosecutors assured that the accused admitted to detectives that he had been attracted to his sister-in-law for years and that he acted deliberately taking advantage of his wife's absence.

The accused denies the facts

The defense rejected the accusations and maintained that they do not correspond to the personality of the teacher, who worked as a music teacher at an elementary school in the Oceanside school district.

Following his arrest, the district said Horner was placed on administrative leave while the court process continues.

For its part, Stony Brook University mourned the death of Castle, who was pursuing a doctorate in geosciences. Classmates and teachers described her as a brilliant researcher and committed to her work.

During the court hearing, relatives of both the victim and the accused were present in the courtroom, although they avoided making public statements.

Horner remains in custody without bail. If convicted, he could face a sentence of between 25 years and life in prison.