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Valley Cottage double homicide: Suspect had order of protection against him

Nancy Cutler
Rockland/Westchester Journal News

NEW CITY – The man accused of shooting a Valley Cottage mother and daughter to death is the former domestic partner of the younger victim who had an order of protection against him, police said.

But authorities could not say if the suspect, Robert C. Williams III, is the father of the 1-month-old girl found unharmed at the scene. 

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Williams, 32, of Hillcrest, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Wanda Castor, 63, and Kathleen Castor, 27. Williams is being held at the Rockland County jail and is due back in court on Thursday.

Robert C. Williams III

Williams was described as Kathleen Castor's former domestic partner by Clarkstown Police Chief Raymond McCullagh during a joint news conference with the Rockland County District Attorney's Office outside Clarkstown Police Headquarters on Monday afternoon.

Although McCullagh said he had "anecdotal" evidence that Williams may be the father of Castor's daughter, Anastasia, he said they lacked enough information right now to make a definite determination. Anastasia is now in the custody of Rockland's Child Protective Services. 

Clarkstown Police Chief Raymond McCullough and Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh during a press conference on the homicide arrest of Robert C. Williams III at police headquarters in New City June 1, 2020.

The couple were together for about a year, Clarkstown Police Detective Lt. Tom Ronan said. An order of protection against Williams was issued by Rockland County's Integrated Domestic Violence Court in November 2019.

Clarkstown police could not say when the couple were dating, or when the relationship ended. Ronan said had been several incidents reported to Clarkstown police about Williams and Castor, but he could not provide details on Monday.

Clarkstown Police Chief Raymond McCullough gives an update on the homicide arrest of Robert C. Williams III at police headquarters in New City June 1, 2020.

'A calculated murder'

Elizabeth Santiago, CEO of Center for Safety & Change, Rockland's family shelter, said that a restraining order was in place to prevent domestic violence.

"This was not a senseless crime of passion," Santiago said. "It was an act of power and control and a calculated murder." 

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, domestic violence advocates and law enforcement officials have expressed concern that more violent incidents will occur as victims are often stuck sheltering with their abusers.

Since March 16, the day schools were officially closed for the pandemic, domestic violence incidents have increased by 60% in Rockland and 30% in New York, Santiago said. The governor signed the NY State on Pause executive order, essentially a stay-home order, on March 20. 

Clarkstown Police Chief Raymond McCullough gives an update on the homicide arrest of Robert C. Williams III at police headquarters in New City June 1, 2020.

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh said that domestic violence cases are some of the most common to cross the desks of county prosecutors. In 2018, there were about 1,000 arrests for domestic violence involving physical or sexual abuse; this number only accounts for the crimes reported.

"We are concerned that as one of the consequences of the pandemic is the rise in domestic violence cases," Walsh said, adding that his office was ready to reach out to victims. 

"We would encourage any holders of an order of protection concerned about any potential violation contact to contact your local law enforcement," Walsh said.

Walsh asked the gathering to take a moment to put the baby  — who lost her mother and grandmother — in their thoughts and prayers.

Police said Monday that Williams is also charged with first-degree criminal contempt, for violating an order of protection, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. 

The victims were renting one of the cottages on the property of Tolstoy Foundation on Lake Road in Valley Cottage. The small house is near the Tolstoy Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center and assisted living residences, but was not connected to those facilities.

Other law enforcement agencies have helped with the investigation, including the NYPD Intelligence Division and Scuba Unit, the FBI and ATF; the Rockland County Crime Analysis Center, Rockland County Sheriff Computer Crimes Task Force, and the Westchester County Crime Lab; and the Ramapo, Spring Valley, and Haverstraw Police Departments.

Clarkstown police also said they were assisted by the Rockland County Solid Waste Authority and Suez Water New York, which owns the Lake DeForest reservoir in Clarkstown. Although police confirmed the reservoir was searched, they wouldn't say what evidence they were trying to find and if any was recovered. Police would also not provide details about the gun or guns used in the homicides, or whether one was found.

How to help

Police continue to seek information about the case. Clarkstown Detective Bureau has asked anyone who has information relevant to the investigation to either:

  • Call the Clarkstown Police Detective Bureau at 845-639-5840.
  • Submit an anonymous tip via the “RocklandCO DA” TIP411 app (available in the App store or Google Play).
  • Text keyword ROCKLANDCODA to 847411, add a space, type in your tip information, and hit send.

How to get help

The Center for Safety & Change offers assistance and support 24 hours a day. You can reach them by:

  • Calling a 24-hour hotline: 845-634-3344
  • Using the "chat now" function on their website, centerforsafetyandchange.org/
  • Texting  845-286-4997 to be connected to an advocate

Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Click here for her latest stories. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland. Support local journalism; go to lohud.com/specialoffer to find out how.