A male model with a history of alleged domestic violence against his husband was charged with burglary and contempt of court over the weekend, accused of violating a protection order at the Harlem home where his partner was discovered dead.
Jacob Zieben-Hood was found dead at 4 a.m. Friday, slumped over a toilet with several stab wounds on his body, according to charge documents.
According to officials, the 34-year-old personal trainer suffered a gash on his head as well as several wounds on the back of his leg, one of which penetrated the muscle. A medical examiner has yet to determine his cause of death.
Police discovered the man at his Harlem residence on West 138th Street after his husband, Donald Zieben-Hood, dialed 911. Donald informed the operator that he found his husband dead on the toilet and was concerned that he would be prosecuted for breaking a protective order, according to authorities. Donald asserted that he suffered harm and needed medical assistance.
Prosecutors claimed Jacob had a protective order against his husband since late last year. Donald was told to stay away and not communicate with Jacob, which he allegedly violated on multiple occasions.
When police came, they discovered Donald seated on the couch inside the apartment, claiming Jacob had attacked him with a knife. Officials stated that Donald suffered three injuries on his arms that required stitches.
Prosecutors believe Jacob called his father earlier that night, reporting Donald was following him with a knife and refused to let him leave the residence. His father reported hearing Donald cursing at Jacob and calling him names in the background during the phone call.
Donald appeared in court on Sunday on counts of burglary, criminal contempt, and possession of weapons. He has not been charged with his husband’s death, but authorities are examining the matter as a homicide.
Officials stated that the couple has a history of domestic abuse extending back to 2022.
Donald was suspected of violating the protective order in June when he threatened to harm Jacob with a kitchen knife, according to authorities. He was charged with threatening and criminal contempt at the time.
In February, authorities accused Donald of strangling, among other crimes, for allegedly assaulting Jacob inside the Harlem residence.
