A 25-year-old man has been arrested in Osceola County, accused of brutally killing another man at a hotel by kicking, stomping on his head, and using a fire extinguisher as a weapon.
Chilean national Piero Estefano But-Castillo faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, resisting an officer with violence, battery on specified personnel, and criminal mischief exceeding $1,000, according to booking records.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call around 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Quality Inn on Entry Point Boulevard. Deputies found Castillo repeatedly striking 55-year-old Robert Krusinowski, as detailed in the arrest affidavit. Castillo’s hands were reportedly covered in blood, and deputies said he resisted arrest by wedging his legs against the stairway railings.
Despite efforts by Osceola County Fire Rescue to resuscitate him, Krusinowski was pronounced dead at the scene within the hour. Authorities said he suffered significant trauma to his head, face, and neck.
Witnesses told investigators that prior to the attack, Castillo had been smashing hotel property, including breaking a window to a room he entered unlawfully before being forced out. According to employees, Castillo had been staying at the hotel but was asked to leave earlier that day after failing to extend his stay.
“He’s a Chilean national who was staying at the hotel for a time and was asked to leave by hotel staff. He lost his temper and began breaking items,” Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez said during a Friday press conference.
Surveillance footage and a witness’ cell phone video captured the gruesome incident, investigators said. The videos showed Castillo stomping on Krusinowski’s head as the victim lay motionless, as well as breaking windows, slamming Krusinowski to the ground, and dragging him through the hotel breezeway. The violent assault continued intermittently, culminating in Krusinowski’s death.
“[Robert Krusinowski] was unarmed, just trying to de-escalate the situation,” Sheriff Lopez explained. “However, our suspect became enraged and beat him to death. It was a brutal attack, including the use of a fire extinguisher.”
Castillo remains in custody and is facing a first-degree murder charge as detectives continue their investigation into the fatal attack.
