Tragic Memorial in Staten Island as Teen Allegedly Kills and Decapitates His Mother’s Boyfriend

A devastating incident has rocked a Staten Island neighborhood where a 19-year-old allegedly murdered his mother’s boyfriend in a gruesome act. Neighbors describe a scene of horror, with the victim’s head found severed and lying beside his body in the family’s bathroom.

The suspect, Damien Hurstel, confessed to police that he stabbed the 45-year-old man, Anthony Casalaspro, and removed his head using a saw. He had reportedly been on psychiatric medications since early adolescence and was diagnosed with PTSD and major depression. His mother, Alicia Zayas, described Damien’s mental health struggles, which began after his father’s incarceration and reportedly worsened following a medication change several months prior, without her knowledge.

On the day of the attack, Damien’s mother returned home to find blood everywhere and her son in the kitchen, seemingly unfazed, claiming he was “cleaning” as if doing chores. She then discovered the horrific scene behind a bathroom door where her son claimed her boyfriend was. Peering inside, she was overwhelmed by the bloodshed and began to scream, urging her son to stop. The evidence suggested a disturbing level of violence, including a bowl and utensils found near the mutilated body.

According to Zayas, Damien asked his younger sister whether she wanted her mother to survive, debating whether to harm her or not. She fled and called emergency services, who arrived to find the decapitated and bloodied scene. Damien was taken into custody and faces multiple charges.

He was described as a troubled young man, with a history of mental health issues, including hallucinations and traumatic experiences of sexual abuse. Despite hospitalizations and medication, his mother claims she was not involved in his healthcare decisions after he turned 18, leading to gaps in his treatment and oversight.

In tears, Zayas expressed her devastation, lamenting that her son was once a “good boy” and questioning what went wrong. She and Casalaspro, who was a sanitation worker, had been planning to buy a home together. The community mourns the loss of Anthony Casalaspro, who was described as a caring man actively helping to raise children, now lost to a tragic act of violence.