In a storyline that feels straight out of a horror movie, a 19-year-old Staten Island man, Damien Hurstel, has been charged with allegedly beheading his mother’s boyfriend, Anthony Casalaspro. The details are chilling; after the incident, Hurstel reportedly asked his younger sister if she wanted their mom to live. That’s a tough question to swallow—like asking if you’d like the salad or the dessert at a buffet of terror.
According to their mother, Alicia Zayas, this horrifying scene escalated quickly. When his sister, Bri, feared for their mom’s life, Hurstel eerie-ly replied, “Do you want her to live?” Talk about taking sibling rivalry to a whole new level! Afterward, Bri exited the blood-soaked bathroom terrified and hid behind a shed to call their mom and let her know that, well, her boyfriend had seen better days—like, considerably better days.
As if this tragic tale couldn’t get more twisted, it turns out Hurstel faces charges including second-degree murder. He also has a history of mental health issues, including schizophrenia, which adds another layer of complexity to this heart-wrenching saga. While the jury may still be out on whether we’ll be watching this play out on the big screen or weekly on reality TV, one thing’s for certain: family dinners are going to be awkward for a while.
