Man whispers in wife’s ear before stabbing her to death during Bible study

A Minnesota man, Robert Castillo, 40, has been sentenced to 33 years in state prison for the second-degree murder of his wife, Corrina Woodhull, 41, whom he stabbed multiple times with a hunting knife during a Bible study gathering.

The tragic incident occurred on March 21, 2023, in front of family members just moments after Castillo whispered something in Woodhull’s ear that caused her to shake her head in disapproval.

During the sentencing on Friday, it was revealed that Woodhull’s mother, Linda Castle, found divorce papers in her daughter’s car after the murder, indicating that Woodhull was seeking to leave the troubled and abusive marriage.

Castle expressed her belief that her daughter’s awareness of the need to escape, ultimately led to her death, stating, “She knew it was time to walk away, and that’s why she’s dead.”

The incident unfolded at Castillo’s sister’s home, where the Bible study was taking place. Police arrived at approximately 9 p.m. to find Woodhull suffering from severe stab wounds.

Castillo’s sister told police that she hosted the Bible study group at the home on Tuesday nights, and that Woodhull and Castillo had arrived together and sat on the couch.

Castillo had apparently been holding Woodhull’s hand, kissed her, and whispered something into her ear before pulling out the hunting knife and stabbing her repeatedly.

Family members had managed to tackle and disarm Castillo before authorities arrived. Witnesses reported seeing Castillo stab Woodhull between 10 and 20 times while she pleaded for her life, saying, “Don’t let me die.”

Castillo had a history of felony convictions, including an active warrant for failing to appear in court related to a previous assault charge against a prison guard. He was reportedly “under the influence of meth and heroin” during the attack, according to his lawyer, who argued that Castillo was “in a state of psychosis at the time.”

Prior to her death, Woodhull worked for Juel Fairbanks Recovery Services, where she was known for her commitment to helping others overcome substance abuse. The organization mourned her loss, highlighting her positive impact on both clients and staff.

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Family members remembered her as a dedicated mother of five children, emphasizing her passion for assisting those dealing with domestic abuse and substance use disorders.