Oceanside Teacher Accused Of Strangling Student Placed On Administrative Leave, District Says

OCEANSIDE, NY — The North Massapequa man accused of murdering a 25-year-old Ph.D. student has been placed on administrative leave from his job as a school music teacher, the district employing him announced.

27-year-old Joseph Horner was arrested Tuesday and is being charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Victoria Castle, police said. According to police, Horner had known Castle for a decade prior to her death.

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Police also said that Horner was employed as a school music teacher, but did not say which district employed him.

In an announcement Tuesday, the Oceanside School District said a staff member in the district had been arrested on charges of homicide. Police said Tuesday that Horner's arrest had no connection with his work in schools, a detail the district reiterated in its statement.

Dr. Phyllis Harrington, Superintendent of Oceanside Schools, called the news, "deeply disturbing."

"This staff member has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately, pending further review," the district said. "We have no further information at this time."

Horner appeared in court Tuesday, pleading not guilty to the murder charge and being remanded without bail, court records show. The Massapequa resident is due back in court Thursday for an indictment control proceeding, court records show.