At a Glance
- Jack Joseph Ball, 24, pleaded guilty to the pre-meditated murder of his sister, Bethany Ann Israel, and her unborn child on May 23, 2024.
- Investigators found dismembered body parts and bloody knives at two separate scenes.
- Ball faces a mandatory life sentence; his trial on a mental-illness defense is set for late May 2026.
- Why it matters: The case underscores a tragic family tragedy and the legal ramifications for violent crimes involving unborn children.
Jack Joseph Ball, 24, has pleaded guilty to the pre-meditated murder of his sister, Bethany Ann Israel, and her unborn child. The killings occurred on May 23, 2024, after a family dinner, and investigators found dismembered body parts and bloody knives at the scene. Ball now faces a mandatory life sentence and will stand trial on his mental-illness defense in late May 2026.
The Crime
On the night of May 23, 2024, Ball and Israel shared a dinner at their family home. After the meal, Ball allegedly left the house and returned later with bloodied knives and dismembered body parts. Police found pieces of Israel’s body strewn across two separate scenes, and Ball was discovered bloodied at another location with a self-inflicted wound on his neck.
Investigation and Arrest
Police responding to the home where Ball and his sister had dinner found evidence that led to Ball’s arrest. Investigators recovered journals written by Ball that stated he wanted to kill his sister because she was “no longer innocent,” a claim that was documented in a criminal complaint. The family alerted authorities after they became concerned that the expecting mother had not returned from the dinner.
Legal Proceedings
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena announced that Ball pleaded guilty to counts of pre-meditated first-degree murder and pre-meditated first-degree murder of an unborn child. The county attorney’s office said Ball may now serve life in prison. Keena noted that Minnesota law holds a person not criminally responsible if a mental illness made them unable to understand what they were doing or know that it was wrong at the time the offense was committed.
Ball has asserted a defense of mental illness and will stand trial in late May 2026. If convicted, Ball will face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. He remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
Family Reaction
Bethany Ann Israel was between 17 and 18 weeks pregnant at the time of her murder, according to a medical examiner. Her family honored her memory in a GoFundMe, describing her as a “cherished wife, daughter, sister, and an expectant mother” and a beloved figure in the volleyball community. They added, “Bethany’s radiant spirit and unwavering kindness touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her love for life, her family, and the friendships she nurtured are the legacies she leaves behind. As a beacon of warmth and generosity, Bethany’s absence leaves a void that cannot be filled.”
Future Trial
The trial will address Ball’s mental-illness defense and the charges of murder and murder of an unborn child. The court will determine whether Ball’s mental state at the time of the offense negates criminal responsibility under Minnesota law. The case remains under close scrutiny by law-enforcement partners and the community.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 23, 2024 | Dinner and murder |
| Late May 2024 | Ball pleads guilty |
| Late May 2026 | Trial scheduled |
The case highlights the intersection of family tragedy and the criminal justice system, drawing attention to the legal treatment of violent crimes involving unborn children.
