Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Accused Corkscrew-Castrating Killer Was Trying To Destroy Gay Demons
By
Garth Johnston
Published Sep 14, 2012
Modified Sep 14, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Sep 14, 2012
Modified Sep 14, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Jury selection in the case of Renato Seabra, the young Portuguese model accused of brutally murdering and castrating his older lover at the Times Square InterContinental last January, begins next week. Which means it is time for new, grotesque, details to come out. If you ever wanted to know why a man would cut off another man's balls with a corkscrew, well, you don't need to wonder anymore.
At a brief pretrial hearing today Seabra's confession was allowed into evidence by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus, which allowed a few details about why the 21-year-old man allegedly killed his older companion, 65-year-old Carlos Castro. "The world is a better place now," the model reportedly told hospital officials.
According to the confession Seabra had agreed to go on the trip to New York with his lover, but began to "second guess" his homosexuality and wanted to go home. At first Castro had appeared to understand and offered to cut their trip short, but then he didn't. And Seabra reportedly lost it:
"He states he was enraged and could not control the virus of the spread of homosexuality to the world," he added.
Seabra told cops that Castro was on the floor gasping after being bludgeoned and choked when Seabra bashed him in the head with a wine bottle, the detective said.
Then he reached for the corkscrew.
"He said they were the demons, and he needed to cut it out," the detective testified. "Cutting off his testicles -- that would make everything in the world right."
Seabra's lawyers are hoping that they can persuade a jury that he was insane at the time of the murder and did not know what he was doing.
Tagged
carlos castro
castration
gay
insanity
murder
renato seabra
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .