Jack Joseph Ball, Lakeville, Butchered Pregnant Sister Bethany Israel, Charged with Multiple Murder Counts: Two days ago, accusations of double murder were brought against a 23-year-old man for allegedly using multiple sharp weapons to kill and dismember his pregnant sister at his Lakeville residence. In relation to his attack on 30-year-old Bethany A. Israel of Bloomington on Thursday at the residence in the 17000 block of Encina Path, Jack Joseph Ball of Lakeville was charged with two counts of second-degree murder in Dakota County District Court. Ball was given a $1 million bail amount by the prosecution during his Tuesday afternoon hearing. Prosecutor Stacy St. George informed the court that “journal entries indicate that this may have been premeditated.”
“The defendant killed someone, mutilated the body, and scattered various body parts throughout Dakota, as the complaint details. Given the nature of the offense and the high public risk it poses, a high bond amount is appropriate.” The criminal complaint stated that Israel was between 17 and 18 weeks along in her pregnancy, citing the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office’s assessment. Ball is still in the hospital due to possible self-inflicted injuries, and his next hearing is not until June 10. His attorney is not yet listed in court documents. Shortly after 11 p.m., Israel’s mother called the police, expressing her fear that her daughter might be dead inside the house.
Israel went to the house that evening for dinner with her brother, the mother informed the responding police, but her family was worried because they hadn’t heard from her. Ball was hurriedly leaving the house when the mother came, the mother continued. She claimed to have seen a lot of blood when she went inside. A significant amount of blood was found on the kitchen floor and in and around the sink when the officers peered inside. They also noticed big knives covered in blood, a saw, and a hatchet. Body pieces were found in the house after a closer inspection. Several notebooks and other writings by Ball were discovered by the police in the house. One of his writings expressed his anger with Israel for being pregnant and “no longer innocent.” Ball may have visited a Rosemount cemetery where family members are interred, the mother told the police.
A man who turned out to be Ball appeared on a doorbell camera, according to a 911 call from a Rosemount resident. After officers arrived at that address, they discovered an Israeli-made body part. Ball was discovered in the backyard of the house where the officers had parked his car nearby. It looked as though he had cut himself on his throat with a knife. More body pieces were found when the surrounding region was searched. Israel’s first kid was expected, and her family informed the police of this.The Dakota County Attorney, Kathy Keena, released a statement in which she claimed, “Words cannot express the disturbing and horrifying allegations our law enforcement partners experienced during the investigation.” “My office will work hard to ensure the victims receive justice and will provide the necessary support for the victims’ family.”
