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 Ball’s home in Lakeville, Minnesota, last Thursday after relatives became concerned about Israel.
Israel was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant at the time and officers entered the property and discovered “several dismembered body parts” belonging to her.
While searching the residence, agents found several journals belonging to Ball that detailed how angry he was because his sister was pregnant and “no longer innocent.”
Responding officers discovered Ball covered in blood after they saw him flee the scene before being detained and charged.
Bethany Israel, seen here with her husband Jack, was 17 to 18 weeks pregnant at the time.
Police were called last Thursday to Ball’s Lakeville home, seen here, after relatives became concerned about Israel.
According to charging documents viewed by DailyMail.com, Lakeville police responded to a 911 call from Israel’s mother.
Relatives became concerned when Israel did not return home after having dinner with his brother that same night.
The woman said she drove to the home and saw Ball quickly leave the premises and told officers he “just ran out of the house.”
After entering the home, the family member said he saw a “substantial” amount of blood and called 911.
Responding officers entered the home and found a large pool of blood on the kitchen floor, under the sink and on the sink cabinets.
They also found a bloody saw, an ax and large knives covered in blood while searching the house, as well as his diaries.
While combing the property, they located several dismembered body parts that they believed belonged 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 he believed to be a body part on his porch through his circular camera.
Relatives became concerned when Israel did not return home after having dinner with his brother.
When 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 to his throat.
Ball was able to communicate with officers and told them the date, time and name of the current president before he was detained and taken 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 to be “complex homicidal violence.”
Neighbor Cindy Bond, who lives across the street, said KSTP: ‘My husband heard a woman’s scream. A minute later there were screams and a car drove away.
On Tuesday, Ball appeared in Dakota County District Court via video conference from the hospital.
Judge Bryce Ehrman set his bail at $2 million without conditions and $1 million with conditions.
Responding officers entered the home and found a large pool of blood on the kitchen floor, under the sink, and on the sink cabinets.
They also found a bloody saw, an ax and large knives covered in blood while searching the house, as well as his diaries.
Once Ball is released from the hospital, the Dakota County Prosecutor’s Office said he would be transferred to the Dakota County Jail.
Dakota County Prosecutor Kathy Keena said, “The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and horrific, words cannot describe what our law enforcement partners found during the investigation.”
“My office will work hard to ensure that victims receive justice and will provide necessary support to victims’ families.” Ball will appear in court again on June 10.
A GoFundMe It has now been created to help Israel’s husband, Jack, and his family after her death.
A post about the fundraiser said: “Bethany was not only a beloved wife, daughter, sister and mother-to-be, 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.
‘His love for life, his family and the friendships he cultivated are the legacy he leaves behind.
‘Like a beacon of warmth and generosity, Bethany’s absence leaves a void that cannot be filled.
‘Please keep Bethany’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they endure this difficult journey.
