Oceanside Music Teacher Accused of Brutally Strangling Sister-in-Law in North Massapequa

NORTH MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. — An Oceanside School District music teacher has been charged with murder after prosecutors allege he brutally strangled his 25-year-old sister-in-law inside a North Massapequa home Monday morning.

According to the Nassau County Police Department, officers responded to a residence on North Oak Street near the intersection of Magnolia Drive, at approximately 8:44 a.m. on June 29 after receiving a 911 call requesting an ambulance for a woman who was not breathing.

When officers arrived, they found the 25-year-old woman unresponsive inside the home. Officers immediately began CPR before she was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Following a homicide investigation, detectives arrested Joseph Horner, 27, of North Oak Street, at the scene. He has been charged with second-degree murder.

During Horner's arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead, prosecutors revealed additional details surrounding the alleged attack.

According to Assistant District Attorney Alexander DePalo, Horner asked the victim, who prosecutors identified as his sister-in-law, to help him move a piano inside the residence. Prosecutors allege that once she entered, Horner attacked her from behind without warning, placing her in a chokehold and strangling her until "her body went limp."

Prosecutors also alleged that Horner sexually abused the victim after the fatal assault before changing his clothes, calling 911, and waiting for responding officers to arrive.

The Nassau County Police Department said the investigation remains active, and additional criminal charges are possible.

Horner pleaded not guilty to the murder charge during his arraignment.

The Oceanside School District confirmed Tuesday that Horner is employed as a music teacher. In a statement, Superintendent Phyllis Harrington said the district was aware of the arrest and had placed Horner on administrative leave effective immediately pending further review.

"We understand that this news is deeply disturbing," Harrington said in the statement.

Horner's attorney, Gregory Grizopoulos, disputed the allegations during Tuesday's court appearance.

"This seems to be allegations that are very not in line with what the community and his friends and his family would believe," Grizopoulos said.

Police have not publicly identified the victim.

If convicted of second-degree murder, Horner faces 25 years to life in prison.

The homicide investigation remains ongoing.