Topline: A Long Island elementary music teacher is accused of killing a 25-year-old woman inside a North Massapequa home after calling 911 for an ambulance.
Published: July 1, 2026 10:00 am ET
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Joseph Horner (via NCPD)
NORTH MASSAPEQUA, NY — Nassau County police say 27-year-old Joseph Horner, an elementary music teacher in the Oceanside School District, has been charged with second-degree murder after a 25-year-old woman was found not breathing inside a home Monday morning.
According to PIX11, Horner is accused of strangling his sister-in-law to death. Additional local reporting said officers responded to 285 North Oak Street in North Massapequa at about 8:45 a.m. after Horner called 911 requesting an ambulance for the female victim.
Police have said the victim was a 25-year-old PhD student at Stony Brook University. Authorities said Horner and the woman had known each other for about a decade, dating back to when he first met his wife in 2016.
Investigators said Horner acted alone. Nassau County police also said he had no prior arrests and no previous interactions with law enforcement.
The Oceanside School District said in a statement that the charges have no connection to the district or its students and that Horner has been placed on administrative leave pending further review.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Elementary School Music Teacher Accused of Strangling Sister-in-Law to Death
A Long Island elementary music teacher is accused of killing a 25-year-old woman inside a North Massapequa home after calling 911 for an ambulance.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 1, 2026 10:00 am ET
Joseph Horner (via NCPD)
NORTH MASSAPEQUA, NY — Nassau County police say 27-year-old Joseph Horner, an elementary music teacher in the Oceanside School District, has been charged with second-degree murder after a 25-year-old woman was found not breathing inside a home Monday morning.
According to PIX11, Horner is accused of strangling his sister-in-law to death. Additional local reporting said officers responded to 285 North Oak Street in North Massapequa at about 8:45 a.m. after Horner called 911 requesting an ambulance for the female victim.
Police have said the victim was a 25-year-old PhD student at Stony Brook University. Authorities said Horner and the woman had known each other for about a decade, dating back to when he first met his wife in 2016.
Investigators said Horner acted alone. Nassau County police also said he had no prior arrests and no previous interactions with law enforcement.
The Oceanside School District said in a statement that the charges have no connection to the district or its students and that Horner has been placed on administrative leave pending further review.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Elementary School Music Teacher Accused of Strangling Sister-in-Law to Death
A Long Island elementary music teacher is accused of killing a 25-year-old woman inside a North Massapequa home after calling 911 for an ambulance.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 1, 2026 10:00 am ET
Joseph Horner (via NCPD)
NORTH MASSAPEQUA, NY — Nassau County police say 27-year-old Joseph Horner, an elementary music teacher in the Oceanside School District, has been charged with second-degree murder after a 25-year-old woman was found not breathing inside a home Monday morning.
According to PIX11, Horner is accused of strangling his sister-in-law to death. Additional local reporting said officers responded to 285 North Oak Street in North Massapequa at about 8:45 a.m. after Horner called 911 requesting an ambulance for the female victim.
Police have said the victim was a 25-year-old PhD student at Stony Brook University. Authorities said Horner and the woman had known each other for about a decade, dating back to when he first met his wife in 2016.
Investigators said Horner acted alone. Nassau County police also said he had no prior arrests and no previous interactions with law enforcement.
The Oceanside School District said in a statement that the charges have no connection to the district or its students and that Horner has been placed on administrative leave pending further review.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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