Homicide Probe Underway After Model’s Husband Found Dead in Harlem Apartment; Partner Arrested
Homicide Probe Underway After Model’s Husband Found Dead in Harlem Apartment; Partner Arrested
New York City authorities are investigating the death of Jacob Zieben-Hood, 34, whose body was discovered on July 31 in his Harlem apartment. His husband, prominent model Donald Hood, 40, was arrested the same day and is currently being held without bail at Rikers Island on charges including burglary and aggravated criminal contempt. While no one has been charged with murder, prosecutors are treating Zieben-Hood’s death as a homicide, pending the results of an autopsy.
Police found Zieben-Hood slumped over a toilet with a gash on his head and multiple stab wounds to his leg after Donald Hood called 911. However, charging documents reveal that Jacob allegedly called his father from the bathroom before the attack, claiming Donald was “coming at him with knives.” Donald was found with cuts and bite marks, which he claimed Jacob inflicted.
Friends of Jacob Zieben-Hood have spoken out, describing years of alleged isolation and abuse. They claim Jacob, a personal trainer, became increasingly cut off from them after he started dating Donald in 2015, with Donald reportedly restricting his contact with old friends. Despite a seemingly glamorous life portrayed on social media, court records indicate a pattern of alleged domestic abuse, with nine domestic incident reports filed against Donald since 2022. Donald had faced prior arrests in February and June for alleged attacks on Jacob, including strangulation and menacing with a knife, and had multiple protective orders issued against him.
Donald Hood has pleaded not guilty to the previous charges, which remain pending. He is scheduled to appear in court on September 12 as the investigation into Jacob Zieben-Hood’s death continues. Jacob’s funeral is set to take place this weekend in San Antonio.
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