Minn. Man Allegedly Dismembered Pregnant Sister, Claiming She Was 'No Longer Innocent'

Jack Ball is accused of murdering his sister, Bethany Israel, and her unborn child

A Minnesota man is accused of dismembering his pregnant sister because he believed she was “no longer innocent.”

The Dakota County Attorney’s Office says in a release that police were alerted to a bloody scene by the family members of the victim, Bethany Israel, who were concerned that her daughter hadn’t returned after having dinner with her brother, Jack Joseph Ball, on Thursday, May 23.

When a family member went to the residence where the siblings had eaten dinner, Ball was allegedly seen leaving the scene, prosecutors say. Inside the home, the family member found a “significant amount of blood” and called the police.

Police responding to the home allegedly found bloody knives and dismembered body parts they believed belonged to Israel, prosecutors say.

Ball was found in Rosemount after a neighbor reported that a man placed a body part on their front step, prosecutors allege. Ball was arrested and had what authorities say was a wound on his neck that appeared to be self-inflicted.

According to the criminal complaint reviewed by PEOPLE, police say they found journals belonging to Ball in which he allegedly wrote that he was upset his sister was pregnant and thus "no longer innocent.”

A medical examiner ruled that Israel was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant when she was killed.

"The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and horrific — words can’t describe what our law enforcement partners encountered during the investigation," County Attorney Kathy Keena says in a statement. "My office will work hard to ensure the victims receive justice and will provide the necessary support for the victims’ family."

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A GoFundMe started for Israel’s family has so far raised over $25,000.

“Bethany was not only a cherished wife, daughter, sister, and an expectant mother but also a beloved figure in the volleyball community,” the organizer wrote. “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.”

Ball is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, including one for the death of the unborn child. It is not immediately clear if he has retained an attorney or entered a plea.

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