A husband is accused of stabbing his wife to death during a Bible study group in front of family members after he whispered something in her ear.
Robert Castillo, 40, of St. Paul, Minnesota, has been charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed his wife Corinna Woodhull, 41, while the couple attended a Maryland Avenue Bible study at the home from his sister on Tuesday.
Castillo allegedly stabbed Woodhull up to 20 times with a six-inch blade after he whispered something in his ear, according to cbs minnesota. After stabbing her, witnesses claimed the mother of five begged them not to let her die.
Before the stabbing, Castillo’s sister said the couple had been “acting normal” and that he was holding her hand and kissing it, according to the pioneer press.
His sister and brother, who were not identified, watched Castillo stab Woodhull with a hunting knife. Woodhull tried to grab Castillo’s hair to get it off her, but family members had to step in and pull it away, his sister said.
One of the stab wounds had pierced her heart, and by the time paramedics arrived around 9:00 p.m., she was unable to breathe.
Robert Castillo, 40, of St. Paul, Minnesota, has been charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed his 41-year-old wife Corinna Woodhull.
He stabbed her up to 20 times, including through the heart, with a six-inch hunting blade in front of his sister and brother.
Several family members were holding Castillo to the ground when authorities knocked on his door. Another witness told police that he believes he would attack more people if he had not been disarmed, according to the complaint.
His sister told authorities that he had been carrying the knife at all times to “protect himself,” the Pioneer Press reported.
Woodhull was found on the ground with serious injuries to her torso, chest and arms and was rushed to Regions Hospital. Upon her arrival, the mother of five was pronounced dead.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide.
Before the stabbing, Castillo’s sister said the couple had been ‘acting normal’ and he was holding her hand and kissing her (pictured: Woodhull with their two children and their father)
Woodhull, a mother of five (pictured with her children), was pronounced dead after arriving at hospital. Her death has been ruled a homicide.
Castillo’s brother told investigators that he and Woodhull were having marital problems, according to CBS Minnesota. Castillo, who spoke briefly with investigators, said the couple no longer lived together, but had been legally married for the past two years.
While speaking to investigators, he asked if Woodhull was “going to be okay” and shook his head in disbelief when told he had died.
Erin Honken, Woodhull’s friend for more than a decade, said she had been trying to get away from him, but Castillo kept insisting they give their relationship another try.
Castillo was arrested and booked into the Ramsey County Jail on $5 million bond.
At the time of the stabbing, Castillo had a warrant for his arrest after failing to attend a pretrial hearing for assaulting an officer while in jail in Washington County.
Castillo has quite the criminal record, registering eight felonies, including assault, robbery and possession of a firearm.
He was also convicted of hitting his baby mom with a hammer at his sister’s house and received 10 years.
Woodhull worked at a substance abuse treatment center, Juel Fairbanks Recovery Services, who honored the employee Wednesday, writing: “We are saddened to report that one of our employees, Corrina Woodhull, tragically died last night.”
‘Corrina had a lot of light and she spread that light and positivity every day to our clients and staff. Corrina was a force to be reckoned with. She had so much strength and was strong minded. She had a big heart and she really wanted to help others. She leaves a legacy here at Juel Fairbanks and she will be sorely missed. Please keep her family, our clients and staff in her prayers.’
A family friend has started a GoFundMe to “raise money to help honor Corrina’s life and legacy.”
‘Corrina was an advocate for people in recovery, passionate about helping others experiencing substance use disorders and domestic abuse and violence. She loved her children so much. You’d find Corrina helping out at church most days…’ the GoFundMe, which has raised $5,155 of her $20,000 goal.
