A husband stabbed 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 pair attended bible study on Maryland Avenue at his sister’s house on Tuesday.
Castillo allegedly stabbed Woodhull up to 20 times with a six-inch blade after he had whispered something in her ear, according to CBS Minnesota. After stabbing her, witnesses claimed the mother-of-five begged them not to let her die.
Prior to the stabbing, Castillo’s sister said the pair had been ‘acting normally’ and that he was holding her hand and kissing her, according to the Pioneer Press.
His sister and brother, who were not named, saw Castillo stab Woodhull with a hunting knife. Woodhull attempted to grab Castillo’s hair to pull him off her, but family members had to intervene and pull him away, his sister said.
One of the stab wounds had pierced her heart and by the time paramedics arrived around 9pm, she couldn’t breathe.
Robert Castillo, 40, of St. Paul, Minnesota, has been charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed his wife Corinna Woodhull, 41
He stabbed her up to 20 times, including in the heart, with a six-inch hunting blade in front of his sister and brother
Castillo was being held to the ground by several family members when authorities knocked on their door. Another witness told police they believe he would attack more people if he had not been disarmed, the complaint said.
His sister told authorities that he had been carrying the knife on him at all times to ‘protect himself,’ the Pioneer Press reported.
Woodhull was found on the ground with severe wounds to her torso, chest, and arms and she was rushed to Regions Hospital. Upon arrival, the mother-of-five was pronounced dead.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled her death a homicide.
Prior to the stabbing, Castillo’s sister said the pair had been ‘acting normally’ and that he was holding her hand and kissing her (pictured: Woodhull with her two sons and their father)
Woodhull, a mother-of-five (pictured with her children), was pronounced dead after arriving at the 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 briefly spoke with investigators, said the pair were no longer living together, but had been legally married for the last two years.
While speaking with investigators, he asked if Woodhull was ‘going to be okay’ and shook his head in disbelief when he was told she had died.
Erin Honken, a friend of Woodhull’s for more than a decade, said she had been trying to get away from him, but Castillo kept insisting on giving their relationship another go.
Castillo was arrested and taken to the Ramsey County Jail on a $5million bond.
At the time of the stabbing, Castillo had a warrant out for his arrest after he failed to attend a pretrial hearing for assaulting an officer while in prison in Washington County.
Castillo has quite the rap sheet, clocking in eight felonies, including assault, burglary, and possession of a firearm.
He was also convicted for beating his baby momma with a hammer at his sister’s house and he received 10 years.
Woodhull worked at a substance abuse treatment facility, Juel Fairbanks Recovery Services, who honored the employee on Wednesday, writing: ‘We are sad to report that one of our employees, Corrina Woodhull was tragically killed last night.
‘Corrina had so much light and she spread that light and positivity each and 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 huge heart and genuinely wanted to help others. She leaves behind a legacy here at Juel Fairbanks and she will be truly missed. Please keep her family, our clients, and staff in your prayers.’
A family friend has started a GoFundMe to ‘raise money to help honor Corrina’s life and legacy.’
‘Corrina was an advocate for those in recovery, she had a passion to help others experiencing substance use disorder and domestic abuse and violence. She loved her children so much. You would find Corrina most days helping at church…’ the GoFundMe, which has raised $5,155 of its $20,000 goal.
