A man has been charged with the murder of his pregnant sister and her unborn child after he allegedly dismembered her body.
Prosecutors have charged Jack Joseph Ball, 23, with two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the death of his sister Bethany Israel, 30.
Police were called to the home of Ball in Lakeville, Minnesota, last Thursday after family members grew concerned for Israel.
Israel was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant at the time and officers entered the property to discover ‘several dismembered body parts’ belonging to her.
While searching the residence officers found several journals belonging to Ball detailing how he was angry that his sister was pregnant and ‘no longer innocent’.
Responding officers discovered Ball covered in blood after he was seen fleeing the scene before he was taken into custody and charged.
Bethany Israel, seen here with her husband Josh, had been between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant at the time
![Police had been called to the home of Ball in Lakeville, seen here, last Thursday after family members grew concerned for Israel](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/29/15/85471819-13472041-image-m-17_1716993402882.jpg)
Police had been called to the home of Ball in Lakeville, seen here, last Thursday after family members grew concerned for Israel
According to charging documents seen by DailyMail.com, Lakeville Police responded to a 911 call from the mother of Israel.
Family members were concerned when Israel hadn’t returned home after having dinner with her brother earlier that evening.
The woman said she drove to the home and saw Ball quickly leave the premises, telling officers that ‘he just tore out of the house’.
After entering the home, the family member said she saw a ‘substantial’ amount of blood and called 911.
Responding officers entered the home to find a large pool of blood on the kitchen floor, under the sink and on the sink cabinets.
They also found a bloody saw, hatchet, and large knives covered in blood as they made their way through the house as well as his journals.
As they combed the property they then located several dismembered body parts they believed to belong to Israel.
While police searched for Ball, they received another 911 call from a resident in nearby Rosemount.
The resident had seen a man leave what they believed to be a body part on their front porch via their ring camera.
![Family members had been concerned when Israel hadn't returned home after having dinner with her brother](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/29/15/85472675-13472041-image-m-18_1716993654077.jpg)
Family members had been concerned when Israel hadn’t returned home after having dinner with her brother
As officers responded to the address, they located Ball in the backyard of a neighboring property.
Police described how Ball was covered in blood on his head, shirt, arms legs and pants and had a self-inflicted knife wound across his throat.
Ball was able to communicate with officers and told them the date, time and name of the current president before he was taken into custody and to a local hospital.
After searching the area, they found more dismembered body parts believed to belong to Israel.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death as being ‘complex homicidal violence’.
Neighbor Cindy Bond, who lives across the street, told KSTP: ‘My husband heard a female scream. Then a minute thereafter there was shouting and a car peel off.’
On Tuesday, Ball appeared in Dakota County District Court through video conference from hospital.
His bail was set in the amount of $2 million without conditions and $1 million with conditions by Judge Bryce Ehrman.
![Responding officers entered the home to find a large pool of blood on the kitchen floor, under the sink and on the sink cabinets](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/29/15/85472963-13472041-image-a-19_1716993683235.jpg)
Responding officers entered the home to find a large pool of blood on the kitchen floor, under the sink and on the sink cabinets
![They also found a bloody saw, hatchet, and large knives covered in blood as they made their way through the house as well as his journals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/29/15/85472961-13472041-image-a-20_1716993684676.jpg)
They also found a bloody saw, hatchet, and large knives covered in blood as they made their way through the house as well as his journals
Once Ball is cleared from the hospital, the Dakota County Attorney’s office said he would be transferred to the Dakota County Jail.
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.
‘My office will work hard to ensure the victims receive justice and will provide the necessary support for the victims’ family.’ Ball will appear back in court on June 10.
A GoFundMe has now been set up to help Israel’s husband Josh and her family following her death.
A post to the fundraiser said: ‘Bethany was not only a cherished wife, daughter, sister, and an expectant mother but also a beloved figure in the volleyball community.
‘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.
‘Please hold Bethany’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they endure this difficult journey.
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