Man Who Murdered Wife During Bible Study Gets 33 Years

Corinna Woodhull’s faith in redemption ended in unimaginable betrayal. On March 21, 2023, a Bible study in St. Paul, Minnesota, became the setting for a horrifying act of violence when Woodhull’s husband, Robert Castillo, unleashed years of rage on the woman who believed she could save him.

A Kiss, a Whisper, and Then Chaos

Woodhull and Castillo arrived at his sister’s home for their regular Tuesday night Bible study, acting like any other couple. Witnesses told investigators they sat holding hands on the couch. At one point, Castillo kissed Woodhull and leaned in to whisper something. She shook her head “no,” and in a flash, he pulled out a 6-inch hunting knife and began stabbing her - an estimated 20 times. His own family tackled him, disarmed him, and held him down while others tried to save Woodhull.

Her final plea to a fellow Bible study participant was gut-wrenching: “Don’t let me die,” as reported by PEOPLE. Despite their efforts, Woodhull succumbed to “multiple sharp force injuries” at the hospital, as noted in her autopsy, according to PEOPLE.

A Lifetime of Violence Comes to a Head

Castillo’s past read like a laundry list of red flags. Eight prior felony convictions, assaults that left victims battered, and an active warrant for missing a court hearing all pointed to a man teetering on the edge of destruction. One particularly chilling incident, cited in charging documents, involved him beating the mother of his child with a hammer, cracking her skull and breaking her arm. Despite this, Woodhull chose to marry him. Her mother Linda Castle believed Woodhull “thought she could save him,” as reported by PEOPLE.

Their marriage, however, seemed destined for tragedy. Divorce papers later found in Woodhull’s car hinted she was ready to leave - a decision Castillo apparently could not accept.

A Sentence That Doesn’t Erase the Pain

In September 2023, Castillo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder of Woodhull. His lawyer blamed drugs for his actions, claiming Castillo had ingested so much he couldn’t recall the attack. Castillo apologized in court, stating, “I’m taking full responsibility for my actions, even if I don’t recall anything that happened that day due to my … drug-induced psychosis,” according to the Associated Press.

In response, Judge Richard Kyle handed down a 33 1/3-year sentence, with two-thirds to be served in prison and the remainder under supervised release. For those who loved Woodhull, the sentence feels like little solace for a life cut short.

A Call to Action

Woodhull’s story highlights a chilling reality: Love can’t always fix what’s broken. Her mother’s words serve as both warning and lesson: “Women need to understand: Don’t accept this kind of behavior. It’s not OK,” she said, according to the Associated Press.

For a woman whose life revolved around faith and compassion, her end serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of ignoring the signs of domestic violence. As her family works to honor her memory, they hope others will recognize that walking away isn’t just brave - it can be lifesaving.

References: Minn. Man Who Fatally Stabbed His Wife at Bible Study Learns Fate | A Minnesota man gets 33 years for fatally stabbing his wife during Bible study