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Victoria Castle was a self-described “professional rock lover” and “elder emo” who skydived, dressed up elaborately for Comic Con, excavated rock formations across the globe, and presented academic research at Oxford University — all while pursuing a PhD in geology at Stony Brook University.
Castle, 25, has now been identified by Nassau Police as the victim in what prosecutors have described as a dark and unprovoked attack inside a North Massapequa home — allegedly at the hands of her brother-in-law, 27-year-old Oceanside music teacher Joseph Horner.
Castle’s @vooozaa Instagram account paints the portrait of a young woman who seemed to squeeze joy out of every season — literally and figuratively.
Traveled across the globe
Posts show her hiking in Georgia; vacationing at Epcot in Orlando; walking through a jungle in São Paulo, Brazil, as part of her studies; exploring the Poconos, and visiting London. In October 2024, she was photographed presenting a paper at Oxford University — a milestone that she beamed with pride over.
At Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, she posted photos set to Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” a nod perhaps, to the “elder emo” and “ironically emo” labels she wore proudly.
In San Antonio and Waco, Texas; in Brazil; and in Huntsville, Alabama, her fieldwork took her to all corners of the country and across continents. And she documented it all with seemingly tremendous enthusiasm. It became a diary of sorts of someone who loved doing what she did.
Castle was a cosplay fanatic
She also knew how to cut loose. At New York Comic Con at the Javits Center in October 2025, Castle appeared in multiple elaborate costumes — first as Atom Eve, then as the fiercely intelligent Violet Sorrengail. She also costumed up the year before at Comic Con, flashing her passion for fantasy and sci-fi fandoms.
On Valentine’s Day, she posted about being “on cloud nine” about a new romantic relationship and spending the day with that special person.
Back in October 2023, she shared a series of photos celebrating her sister Allie’s wedding to Joseph Horner.
“My sister, my person, my partner in chaos is now married to one of the most wonderful people in the world,” Castle wrote. “I love you both forever.”
Brother-in-law accused in dark crime
Horner is now accused of luring Castle to his upstairs apartment under the pretense of moving a piano, then attacking her from behind and strangling her until she lost consciousness, according to Nassau prosecutors, who also allege that Horner sexually abused her limp body before calling 911 and waiting outside for police to arrive.
Authorities noted that Castle and Horner had known each other for roughly a decade, since around the time he first met Allie, who he married three years ago. They lived in the same two-family home on North Oak Street in North Massapequa, with Horner and his wife upstairs and Castle alone in the ground-floor apartment.
Horner pleaded not guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder and is being held without bail. He faces 25 years to life in prison if he is found guilty. His attorney, Gregory Grizopoulos, described his client as a man with a sterling reputation whose character stands in “stark contrast” to the allegations against him.
Top: Victoria Castle at Oxford University, celebrating graduation from college, and attending Comic Con in New York City (Instagram/@vooozaa)
Earlier coverage
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