Model Arrested ~Husband Found Dead in Toilet from Stab Wounds

Getty

 

By NBC New York Staff • Published August 4, 2025. Adamfoxie blog Aug 5 late

A male model with a history of alleged domestic violence toward his husband was arraigned on charges of burglary and contempt of court over the weekend, accused of violating a protection order at the Harlem home when his partner was found dead. 

Jacob Zieben-Hood was found dead around 4 a.m. Friday, slumped over a toilet with multiple stab wounds across his body, prosecutors said in charging documents. 

The 34-year-old personal trainer had a gash on his head and several wounds to the back of his leg, one deep enough to penetrate the muscle, according to officials. A medical examiner has not yet determined his cause of death. 

Police found the man at his Harlem apartment on West 138th Street after his husband, Donald Zieben-Hood, called 911. Donald told the operator he found his husband dead on the toilet and expressed worry that he could be arrested for violating a protection order, prosecutors said. Donald said he had been hurt and needed medical attention. 

Prosecutors said Jacob had a protection order in place against his husband since late last year. Donald was ordered to stay away and refrain from communicating with Jacob, an order he's alleged to have broken on several occasions. 

When police arrived around found Donald seated on the couch inside the apartment, he allegedly told officers that Jacob had attacked him with a knife. Officials said Donald had three cuts on his arms that needed stitches.  y

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: Don Hood (L) and Jacob Zieben attend the launch party at Watches of Switzerland on November 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Watches of Switzerland SoHo Launch Party)

Prosecutors, however, claim that Jacob had called his dad earlier in the night, claiming that Donald was chasing him with a knife and refusing to let him leave the apartment. His father said he could hear Donald in the background of the call, yelling at Jacob and calling him names. 

New York City news

From Manhattan to Queens to Brooklyn to Staten Island and all points between, NBC New York covers New York City news, weather, traffic and more. 

Donald was arraigned on Sunday for charges of burglary, criminal contempt and weapons possession. he has not been charged for the death of his husband, but officials are investigating the case as a homicide. 

Officials said the couple has a history of domestic abuse dating back to 2022. 

In June, Donald was accused of breaking the protection order when he menaced Jacob with a kitchen knife and threatened to hurt him, prosecutors alleged. He was brought up on charges of menacing and criminal contempt at the time. 

And in February, prosecutors charged Donald with strangulation, among a long list of other charges, for allegedly attacking Jacob inside the Harlem apartment. 

Donald Zieben-Hood.

JP Yim/Getty

[People Mag.Source]

Jacob allegedly called his father during the confrontation and told him his husband had been preventing him from leaving the apartment and threatening him with a knife, per the outlet.

Jacob's father alleged that he could hear Donald in the background of the call, yelling at his son and calling him names, NBC 4 New York reported.

Donald claimed he fell asleep following the alleged dispute, before waking up around 4 a.m. to find Jacob dead, per the New York Post.

A public defender representing Donald would not comment on the charges when reached by email Monday.  Prosecutors allege that Donald cut Jacob with a knife on the head and leg before calling 911, PIX11 reported. He told the operator he had an order of protection against him and was worried he'd be arrested for violating the order.

 When police arrived at the scene in the early hours of Friday morning, the defendant — who officials said had three cuts on his arm that needed stitches — allegedly claimed Jacob had attacked him with a knife, according to NBC 4 New York.  

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.   The couple had a history of domestic abuse dating back to 2022, the outlet noted, citing officials. Donald has two open criminal contempt cases, including one for allegedly strangling his husband twice in one night, PIX11 reported, citing prosecutors. 

The New York State Unified Court System didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Contact information for an attorney representing Donald Zieben-Hood was unavailable.