A Dakota County grand jury indicted Jack Joseph Ball, 23 of Lakeville, on two counts of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of intentional second-degree murder in the death of his 30-year-old sister, Bethany Ann Israel, and her unborn child, announced Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena.
According to court documents, on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at approximately 6 p.m., Israel went to have dinner with her brother at his residence in Lakeville. Several hours had passed and family members were concerned as they had not heard from Israel.
At approximately 11 p.m., the mother drove to the Lakeville home to check on her. When she arrived, she witnessed Ball “tear out of the house." She entered the home and saw a large amount of blood and called 911.
The Lakeville Police Department responded and found several tools and large knives, all covered in blood, and several dismembered body parts within the home.
Shortly thereafter, police received a 911 call from a Rosemount resident reporting they observed a man on a home security camera place what appeared to be a body part on their front step. After a brief search, Ball was located in the backyard of a neighboring home. He had a self-inflicted injury to his neck and was transported to a local hospital.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death as a result of complex homicidal violence and confirmed Ms. Israel was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant.
If convicted, Ball could face life in prison without the possibility of parole, a mandatory term for the conviction of premeditated first-degree murder. Mr. Ball remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
The next court hearing is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. in Hastings.