Donald Zieben-Hood, 40, has not been charged with murder in connection to his husband’s death.
Jacob Zieben-Hood, 34, was found dead Aug. 1 in the bathroom of the couple’s Harlem apartment on W. 138th St. near Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 4 a.m. Donald Zieben-Hood called police at that time and reported finding his husband dead on the toilet, prosecutors said.
Police discovered Jacob Zieben-Hood “dead in the bathroom, slumped over on the toilet with cuts and stab wounds to the back of his leg and a head wound,” according to a news release from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Charging documents indicate one stab wound was deep enough to penetrate muscle. Police believe the leg wounds cut an artery and the victim bled to death.
Prosecutors added the apartment “had items strewn about with blood on the furniture, walls, floor, and counters.” Multiple knives were recovered from the apartment.
No murder charges filed as investigation continues
Prosecutors have not charged anyone with murder in connection to the case or named a suspect in Jacob Zieben-Hood’s death. Officials said they are investigating the case as a homicide but cautioned autopsy results were still pending Wednesday. The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Indictment covers three alleged domestic violence incidents
Donald Zieben-Hood is alleged to have “escalated his threatening conduct towards his husband in multiple acts of intimate partner violence over the course of a year,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement Wednesday.He was charged with two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary, one count of second-degree assault, two counts of aggravated criminal contempt, eight counts of first-degree criminal contempt and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Donald Zieben-Hood has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his attorney declined a request for comment Wednesday.
February incident led to first arrest and protection order
In February, Donald Zieben-Hood was arrested in connection with an attack on his husband in the Harlem apartment. Jacob Zieben-Hood “almost lost consciousness, and sustained swelling, substantial pain, and redness to his neck” in the incident, according to charging documents.
Prosecutors said Donald Zieben-Hood also violated a full order of protection issued in November, 2024 by entering the apartment. He was accused of choking Jacob Zieben-Hood and then two hours later choking him again and hitting him in the face.
A second court order of protection was issued in April following the February incident, preventing Donald Zieben-Hood from seeing or communicating with Jacob Zieben-Hood, according to prosecutors.
June knife incident resulted in second arrest
In June, Donald Zieben-Hood was arrested and accused of holding a knife in his husband’s direction and saying, “I will attack you.” According to a criminal complaint, on June 14 Zieben-Hood allegedly confronted Jacob Zieben-Hood outside their home with a knife. He was charged with menacing and contempt of court and released on $5,000 bail.
A third order of protection was issued after the incident, the district attorney’s office said.
Victim contacted father during final alleged assault
On July 31, Jacob Zieben-Hood called his father as Donald Zieben-Hood was assaulting him and texted his father photos of small cuts to his face and head, prosecutors said.
Around 8 p.m. that evening, the district attorney’s office said, Jacob Zieben-Hood sent his father a photo of his face, “which was covered in blood from a large wound on his head, and the back of his leg, which had a large bleeding gash.”
He told his father his husband “attacked, beat and sliced him,” the district attorney’s office said. On the night of his death, Jacob Zieben-Hood called his father and told him Donald Zieben-Hood had attacked him with a knife and refused to let him out of their apartment, according to prosecutors. He also texted his father a photo of a deep gash on his leg where he said his husband had slashed him with a knife.
Nine previous domestic violence reports document pattern
Court documents show at least nine previous domestic violence reports dating as far back as March, 2022, documenting alleged abuse by Donald Zieben-Hood against his husband.
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Donald Zieben-Hood was arrested at the scene Aug. 1 and has been held at Rikers Island without bail.
Acquaintances report victim’s increasing isolation
Several of Jacob Zieben-Hood’s acquaintances told NBC News he appeared to become increasingly isolated from friends once he and Donald Zieben-Hood started dating roughly a decade ago.
“If you or someone you know is being abused by a current or former partner, we encourage you to call us at 212-335-9373 where trained professionals can provide resources and help,” Bragg said in the release Wednesday.
“As alleged, Donald Zieben-Hood escalated his threatening conduct toward his husband in multiple acts of intimate-partner violence over the course of a year,” Bragg said. “My thoughts are with Mr. Zieben’s loved ones.”
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