A 23-year-old man from Lakeville, Minnesota, has been arrested and charged with the brutal murder of his sister, who was approximately 18 weeks pregnant at the time. According to journal entries, the man was furious about his married sister’s pregnancy, saying she was no longer “innocent.”
Prosecutors say that Jack Joseph Ball killed and dismembered his sister, 30-year-old Bethany Israel. He is facing two counts of second degree murder (meaning it was not premeditated) for Israel’s death and that of her preborn child. A second degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
“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 said. “My office will work hard to ensure the victims receive justice and will provide the necessary support for the victims’ family.”
According to the criminal complaint, Israel went to Ball’s home to have dinner with him; when she was not heard from afterwards, her mother became concerned and drove to Ball’s house. There, she saw large amounts of blood, and Ball fleeing the residence, so she called police.
When police entered the home, they found more blood, as well as the murder weapons: “a bloody saw, hatchet, and large, bloody knives.” As they moved to the second floor, they found various body parts scattered throughout the house.
A 911 call then came in from another residence, where the homeowner spotted a man on their security camera — who turned out to be Ball — placing a body part on their doorstep.
Police responded and found Ball nearby, covered in blood and with a self-inflicted knife wound across the neck. While searching the area, they found more body parts scattered around.
After they began investigating, police found Ball’s journals, in which he wrote about his fury at Israel’s pregnancy.
A GoFundMe page has been set up benefitting Israel’s husband, Josh. “Bethany was not only a cherished wife, daughter, sister, and an expectant mother but also a beloved figure in the volleyball community,” the page reads. “Bethany’s radiant spirit and unwavering kindness touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her love for life, her family, and the friendships she nurtured are the legacies she leaves behind. As a beacon of warmth and generosity, Bethany’s absence leaves a void that cannot be filled.”
