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Funeral services have been announced for Victoria Castle, a 25-year-old Stony Brook University geology PhD student from North Massapequa whose life was defined by relentless curiosity, adventure and joy.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 7, at James Funeral Home, 540 Broadway in Massapequa, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
Castle, formerly of Massapequa Park, died on Monday. She was 25.
Those who knew her or followed her on Instagram — her handle was @vooozaa — saw a young woman who squeezed something remarkable out of every season.
She conducted fieldwork in São Paulo, Brazil and locations across the United States. She hiked in Georgia, explored the Poconos, vacationed at Epcot and in Colorado, and visited Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island.
She skydived, traveled to London and in October 2024 presented a paper at Oxford University. Fiercely socially conscious, Castle participated in causes and rallies advocating for environmental protection, LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, unions and other progressive issues.
‘Pro rock lover’ and fun-loving goof
Friends said she carried a disarming goofiness that was unique to Castle. She labelled herself an “elder emo,” “unironically emo,” and “a professional rock lover.”
Castle was a cosplay die-hard — dressing up in multiple costumes each year at New York Comic Con at the Javits Center. Last October, she was Atom Eve from the hit series Invincible, and then the fiercely intelligent Violet Sorrengail from the fantasy novel Fourth Wing.
Remembering her sister’s wedding
In October 2023, she shared a series of photos commemorating her sister Allie’s wedding day.
“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.”
Castle was found unresponsive on June 29 inside her home on North Oak Street in North Massapequa. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died at 9:25 a.m.
Nassau Police charged her brother-in-law, Oceanside music teacher Joseph Horner, 27, with second-degree murder in her death.
Prosecutors allege Horner, who lived with Allie upstairs in the multi-family house while Castle lived downstairs, attacked Castle from behind without warning and strangled her until she lost consciousness, then sexually abused her.
Authorities also allege that Horner lusted after Castle for years and carried out the attack while his wife, an elementary school music teacher in the Levittown School District, was out of town at a bachelorette party.
Horner pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and is being held without bail.
Top: Victoria Castle (Instagram/Victoria Castle)
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