Minnesota Man Admits Killing Pregnant Sister, Dismembering Her Body Because She Was “No Longer Innocent”
LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA — A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to the brutal killing of his pregnant sister and her unborn child, admitting he dismembered her body and scattered pieces of her remains across nearby neighborhoods because he believed her pregnancy meant she was “no longer innocent.”
Guilty Plea Includes Unborn Child’s Death
Jack Joseph Ball, 24, of Lakeville, pleaded guilty last week to premeditated first-degree murder and premeditated first-degree murder of an unborn child in the deaths of his sister, Bethany Ann Israel, 30, and her baby, according to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors have recommended Ball receive a life sentence as part of the plea agreement. Additional second-degree murder charges were dropped, and Ball abandoned a previously asserted mental illness defense, authorities said.
Sister Went to Dinner, Never Returned Home
Prosecutors said Israel went to Ball’s Lakeville home for dinner but later became unreachable, prompting concern from family members. After several hours passed without contact, the siblings’ mother drove to Ball’s residence to check on them.
According to charging documents, the mother saw Ball flee the home as she arrived. When she entered the residence, she discovered large amounts of blood and immediately called 911.
Police Find Blood, Weapons, and Dismembered Remains
Officers responding to the scene found a large pool of blood on the kitchen floor, blood-soaked cabinets, and multiple weapons — including a bloody saw, hatchet, and large knives, prosecutors said.
As officers continued searching the home, they located several dismembered body parts, confirming a homicide had occurred. The Lakeville residence is located roughly 23 miles south of Minneapolis.
Body Parts Left on Neighbor’s Steps
Shortly after police began investigating the home, authorities received another disturbing call — this time from a resident in nearby Rosemount.
According to the DA’s office, the neighbor reported seeing a man on their home security camera placing what appeared to be a body part on their front step.
After a brief search, officers found Ball hiding in the backyard of a neighboring property. He had suffered a self-inflicted neck injury and was taken to a local hospital before being formally taken into custody.
Journals Reveal Disturbing Motive
Investigators later discovered several handwritten journals inside Ball’s home. In the writings, prosecutors said Ball expressed anger toward his sister, stating that her pregnancy meant she was “no longer innocent.”
Authorities said the journals provided critical insight into Ball’s state of mind and the premeditated nature of the killings.
Prosecutor Calls Crime “Horrific”
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena described the case as one of the most disturbing her office has handled.
“The allegations in this case are deeply disturbing and horrific — words can’t describe what our law enforcement partners encountered during the investigation,” 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.”
Family Remembers Victim as Loving and Kind
A GoFundMe created by Israel’s family described her as a “cherished wife, daughter, sister, and expectant mother” known for her kindness and radiant spirit.
The fundraiser says her death — and the loss of her unborn child — has devastated loved ones and left an immeasurable void.
Life Sentence Expected
With the guilty plea entered, Ball is expected to be formally sentenced to life in prison, bringing the criminal case to a close while leaving a grieving family to cope with an unthinkable loss.
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