Disturbed Staten Island teen accused of decapitating mom’s beau shares gory confession details: sources
Damien Hurstel, 19, allegedly calmly admitted to cops that he fatally bludgeoned the 45-year-old sanitation department worker over the head with a meat tenderizer.Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post
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A 19-year-old Staten Island man has been charged with murder after police say he admitted to killing his mother’s boyfriend in a shocking and violent attack inside their West Brighton home.
According to law enforcement sources, Damien Hurstel allegedly confessed in detail to striking 45-year-old Anthony Casalaspro in the head with a meat tenderizer during a confrontation Monday morning. Investigators say Hurstel claimed he wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone.
The alleged spare-no-details confession came after cops took Hurstel, who has a long history of mental illness, into custody Monday evening.Facebook/Gabriella Ali Zayas
The victims has been identified as Anthony Casalaspro.Facebook/Anthony Casalaspro
Authorities took Hurstel into custody that evening and brought him to the NYPD’s 120th Precinct, where he reportedly described the attack and its aftermath. Police said Hurstel has a documented history of mental illness, including schizophrenia and self-harm dating back to 2022.
The incident began after an argument between Hurstel and his mother earlier in the day, sources said. When Casalaspro told the teen to leave the house to cool off, Hurstel did so—but allegedly returned to find his mother gone. A second confrontation then erupted between Hurstel and Casalaspro, ending in the fatal assault, investigators said.
The disturbed teenage suspect was taken to the hospital and seen on Tuesday being wheeled out of an NYPD precinct on a gurney.Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post
Police sources said Hurstel attempted to conceal the crime before being interrupted by his 16-year-old sister, who came home from school and discovered the aftermath in the bathroom. She immediately called her mother, who returned home as officers and emergency crews arrived.
Neighbor Jennifer Diaz said she heard the mother shouting outside the home, asking her son why he had done it. “She just kept yelling, ‘Why would you kill him? I still loved him!’” Diaz told reporters.
When police arrived around 4:20 p.m., Hurstel reportedly walked out of the house with his hands up. Witnesses described him as calm and emotionless, with blood visible on his face and boots.
Hurstel allegedly beat Casalaspro to death with a meat tenderizer.Facebook/Anthony Casalaspro
Hurstel told police the slaying was after he had an argument with his mother Alicia Zayas West Brighton homeFacebook/Alicia Zayas
Hurstel seen in a 2018 with his mother Zayas.Facebook/Alicia Zayas
Hurstel was transported to the hospital for evaluation and later brought to the Staten Island courthouse for arraignment, but proceedings were delayed after he reportedly suffered a seizure en route.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect has no prior criminal record but that the family had previous domestic incident reports.
Hurstel was taken to a hospital after having a seizure on the way to a courthouse for his arraignment.Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post
Body of Hurstel’s mother’s boyfriend being investigated by officials.Kyle Mazza/Shutterstock
Casalaspro, a longtime employee of the New York City Department of Sanitation, had been in a relationship with Hurstel’s mother for nearly six years. Friends described him as hardworking and patient.
Casalaspro’s body being transported from the Staten Island house.Kyle Mazza/Shutterstock
“He and the kids had their ups and downs, but nothing like this,” said family friend Louis Ortiz. “Damien could be kind and polite, but he struggled with serious issues for years.”
Unidentified family members of Hurstel outside Staten Island Criminal Court.Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post
The NYPD continues to investigate the case. Hurstel faces charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
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