Jacob Zebenhood, a 34-year-old gay personal trainer, was found dead in an apartment in Harlem she shared with her model’s husband on August 1. Authorities alleges that 40-year-old Donald Zeven Hood left him in the bathroom toilet after stabbing his husband multiple times.
According to New York PostJacob suffered multiple cuts to the head and several stab wounds to the back of his leg.
Donald Zeven Hood was charged on Sunday, August 3rd with first-degree burglary, possession of a weapon and aggravated criminal comment for violating two protective orders that banned him from an apartment shared by the couple.
He is being held without bail, but an autopsy is being conducted to determine whether Jacob’s death will be ruled as murder. This is a necessary discovery for a prosecutor before pursuing murder or manslaughter charges.
Prosecutors said Donald was treated with stitching for several cuts of his arms – told police he had a knife fight with Jacob in his apartment around 7pm on July 31.
In court, Manhattan prosecutors said Jacob called his father Thursday night and said his husband was “following after him,” preventing him from leaving their apartment. He also sent his father a photo of his injured leg.
Prosecutors say Jacob’s father heard Donald scream at his son, calling him a “disappointing name” while he was on the phone.
A successful model with nearly 68,000 Instagram followers, Donald often posted photos from images of him and Jacob on fashion shoots, runway shows, celebrity encounters, holidays and intimate moments.
Neighbors told reporters that despite the appealing image, the couple is constantly fighting despite the Ziben Hood projected on social media, and police have recorded at least nine national case reports since 2022.
Last year, Donald was allegedly attacked Jacob in the head with an unspecified “object,” urging the judge to issue a protective order against him.
According to postDonald was arrested in February, where he allegedly strangled him twice in two days. New York Daily News Jacob reported losing consciousness during the first incident and suffering from a second swelling, pain and a cut in his face.
The judge later set Donald’s bail at $5,000 despite prosecutors demanding $20,000. A month later, police responded to a 911 call about a domestic conflict and found Jacob with a bleeding gouache on his forehead. Both men claimed he collapsed and hit his head.
Donald was arrested again on June 14th on suspicion of threatening Jacob with a knife. He was accused of violating an existing protective order, and his bail was set again at $5,000 despite prosecutors demanding $30,000, according to court records.
“They were always fighting,” said neighbor Craig Wesley. postdebate escalated in recent months, urging police to call in June. He caused a stir around 4am on August 1st, saying he saw EMT on the scene.
“I knew something bad would happen,” Wesley said. “The way they fought, it was going to end badly.”
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Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
