In a chilling case that has shocked Minnesota, a man has admitted to the brutal murder and dismemberment of his pregnant sister. Last week, 24-year-old Jack Joseph Ball confessed in court to the first-degree murder of his sister, Bethany Ann Israel, as well as the first-degree murder of her unborn child. The Dakota County Attorney’s Office confirmed his plea, noting that additional charges of second-degree murder were subsequently dropped.

This horrific crime took place in May 2024, when Israel, who was 30 years old and four months pregnant, visited Ball at his home for dinner. Concern grew among family members when they lost contact with her for several hours. The situation escalated when Israel’s mother, worried and on edge, drove to Ball’s residence late in the evening. Upon arrival, she reportedly saw Ball speeding away from the house. Inside, she was met with a gruesome scene of blood, indicating the violence that had taken place.

Authorities who responded to the scene uncovered a deeply disturbing tableau, including Israel’s severed remains, a bloody saw, and large knives. The case took an even darker turn when another resident contacted police, claiming their doorbell camera captured footage of Ball leaving a body part on their porch. This bizarre and macabre incident further highlights the senseless brutality of the crime.

Ball was apprehended near the site of the crime, found inside a vehicle with a self-inflicted stab wound to his neck, suggesting an attempt to harm himself following the attack. Additional remains of Israel were discovered in the surrounding area, further underscoring the tragedy of the event.

Ball’s admission has brought some resolution to this devastating case, yet the community remains stunned by the violence inflicted upon a young woman and her unborn child. The Dakota County Attorney’s Office continues to handle the legal proceedings, ensuring justice for Bethany Ann Israel and her family.

Ball reportedly wrote in journals that he was angry at his sister because she was pregnant and “no longer innocent.”

Ball has asserted a mental health defense, the district attorney’s office said, and that portion of his case is scheduled to go to trial in May. If the judge finds that he was not mentally capable of determining right from wrong when he murdered his sister, he will be referred for civil commitment, the Pioneer Press reported. Otherwise, he’ll be sentenced to the mandatory life without parole.