A Minnesota man has been accused of brutally killing his pregnant sister and her unborn baby because she was no longer sexually "innocent."
Jack Joseph Ball, 23, of Lakeville, allegedly dismembered his sister's body using a saw, hatchet, and bloody knives, according to court documents. He was arrested on May 23 and has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Bethany Ann Israel and her unborn child, the Independent reports. She was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant.
His bail has been set at $2 million.
According to the criminal complaint reviewed by the outlet, police discovered a large pool of blood in the kitchen of Israel's home located near 172nd Street and Encina Path around 11 pm. During the search, officers found several dismembered body parts they believed to be Israel's. Police also located a bloody saw, hatchet, and knives in the home.
A neighbor called 911 and reported seeing a man on their security camera allegedly place a dismembered body part on their doorstep. Officers located Ball roughly five miles away from the home in Rosemount and took him into custody, who had a knife wound to the throat. He was first taken to the hospital to be treated, the complaint states.
Police found journals and papers belonging to Ball, in which he wrote that he was furious Israel was pregnant and "no longer innocent." Israel's cause of death was ruled by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office as complex homicidal violence. She was four months pregnant, authorities said.
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said, "The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and horrific. Words can't describe what our law enforcement partners encountered during the investigation." She added, "My office will work hard to ensure the victims receive justice and will provide the necessary support for the victims' family.”
Israel was remembered as a "beloved figure" in the volleyball community who was also a "cherished wife, daughter, sister, and expectant mother," according to the Independent. She is survived by her husband Josh Israel.
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