Dakota County authorities said that a 23-year-old man is suspected of killing and dismembering his pregnant sister in Lakeville last week.
Two counts of second-degree murder are being filed against Lakeville resident Jack Joseph Ball in relation to the death of his sister, Bethany Israel, 30, of Bloomington, and her unborn child on Thursday night.
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and horrific — words can’t describe what our law enforcement partners encountered during the investigation,” Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena stated. “My office will work hard to ensure the victims receive justice and will provide the necessary support for the victims’ family.”
A $2 million unconditional bond and a $1 million conditional bail have been imposed for Ball. Ball will be moved to the Dakota County Jail after he receives the all-clear from his doctors. He will appear in court again in Hastings on June 10.
A penalty of up to 40 years in prison is possible for second-degree murder
Detailing a “deeply disturbing and horrific” crime scene is the complaint.
Israel had dinner with her brother at a Lakeville home, and her family was worried that she hadn’t come home, according to the criminal complaint. One of them drove to the house and saw Ball disappearing from the scene.
A “significant amount of blood” was discovered by the family member who called the police after entering the house. The complaint stated that upon arrival, officers discovered “bloody knives and several dismembered body parts,” which they assumed to be from Israel.
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Ball’s car was found in Rosemount immediately after an alert was issued, according to the police.
A Rosemount resident saw on their home security camera that a guy had placed “what appeared to be a body part” on their front step while the police were looking for Ball, according to the complaint. Ball was found in the backyard of a nearby house following a quick search.
The allegation stated that Ball had a neck wound that seemed to have been self-inflicted. He was brought to a nearby hospital to receive care.
As of late, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined that Israel’s death was the consequence of “complex homicidal violence.” It was revealed that Israel was 17–18 weeks along with her pregnancy.
