Minnesota Man Accused of Killing, Dismembering Pregnant Sister Because She Was 'No Longer Innocent'

A Minnesota man has been charged with the murder of his pregnant sister and her unborn child after being caught allegedly dumping her dismembered body parts on a neighbor's property, authorities said.

Jack Joseph Ball, 23, of Farmington, was recently charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of his sister, Bethany Israel, 30, and her unborn child, who was at approximately 17–18 weeks gestation, according to a statement from the Dakota County Attorney's Office.

According to the criminal complaint, Israel's family became concerned when she didn't return home after having dinner with Ball in Lakeville on May 23. Israel's mother went to the residence looking for her and saw Ball leaving the scene. When the she entered the home, she saw "a significant amount of blood" and called the police.

The Lakeville Police Department responded to the home at around 11 p.m., and officers arrived to find "a bloody saw, hatchet, and large, bloody knives" along with "several dismembered body parts" they believed belonged to Israel.

While police were searching for Ball, a 911 caller reported seeing a man on their home security camera "place what appeared to be a body part on their front step," in Rosemount.

Officers responded to that location, and found Ball in a neighboring backyard. He was allegedly "covered in blood on his head, shirt, arms, legs and pants" and had what appeared to be "a self-inflicted knife wound across his throat."

During their investigation, officers discovered several journals and other papers belonging to Ball, which detailed his anger that Israel was pregnant and "no longer innocent."

“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 in a statement. “My office will work hard to ensure the victims receive justice and will provide the necessary support for the victims’ family.”

According to the medical examiner, Israel died as a result of "complex homicidal violence."

Ball's bail was set at $2 million without conditions or $1 million with conditions. Once he is medically cleared, he will be transferred to the Dakota County Jail to await his next scheduled hearing on June 10.

TMX contributed to this report.