When we think of love, most of us imagine warmth, safety, and companionship—the kind of love that fills your heart and makes you feel at home in someone’s arms. But for Jacob Zieben-Hood, his love story became something else entirely—a dark, haunting narrative that spiraled into an eventual tragedy. The details of his relationship with his husband, Donald Zieben-Hood, now read like a cautionary tale about the dangers of toxic love and the subtle, often invisible ways abuse can take root.
Donald Zieben-Hood, once a partner in what should have been a life built on mutual respect, is now at the center of an unfolding criminal case that has shocked and saddened many. Jacob, his husband of nearly ten years, is dead—his life violently cut short in what police and prosecutors are treating as a homicide. Yet, as of October 2025, no one has been charged with murder, and investigators are still waiting on autopsy results to confirm the exact cause of death.
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In a press release, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg summed up the gravity of the situation, stating that Donald had “escalated his threatening conduct towards his husband in multiple acts of intimate partner violence over the course of a year.” It’s a chilling revelation that makes one wonder how love, a force so often celebrated, can transform into something terrifyingly destructive.
A Year of Escalating Violence
The allegations against Donald Zieben-Hood span several months, each incident seemingly more brutal than the last. The first alleged attack occurred in February 2025 when Donald, despite being under a full order of protection, assaulted Jacob in their Harlem apartment. The details are hard to stomach. According to prosecutors, Jacob “almost lost consciousness, and sustained swelling, substantial pain, and redness to his neck.” This was not an isolated outburst; it was the beginning of a series of violent acts that would ultimately end Jacob’s life.
In the wake of that first assault, Jacob sought refuge in the legal system, filing for protection from his abuser. Yet, Donald’s behavior seemed to only worsen. A second order of protection was issued in April 2025, barring him from contacting Jacob in any way. Despite this, in June, Jacob was allegedly threatened with a knife while Donald reportedly shouted, “I will attack you.” At this point, a third order of protection was granted, but the nightmare was far from over.
The last moments of Jacob’s life are, tragically, captured in a series of photographs and texts sent to his father just hours before his death. On July 31, Jacob reached out, showing evidence of the brutal assault he was enduring. The images depicted “small cuts to his face and head” and later, a second photo revealed his face “covered in blood from a large wound on his head, and the back of his leg, which had a large bleeding gash.” Jacob told his father that his husband had “attacked, beat and sliced him.”
It’s impossible to ignore the heartache and helplessness embedded in these words. Jacob’s final cries for help were tragically ignored, and by the time authorities arrived at the scene, it was already too late.
A Devastating Discovery
On the morning of August 1, 2025, Donald called 911, claiming to have found Jacob dead in their apartment. When police arrived at the scene, they found Jacob’s lifeless body slumped over on the toilet, with gruesome cuts and stab wounds to his back and legs. The apartment, too, painted a horrific picture—items were scattered about, blood stained the furniture, walls, and floors. Donald was arrested at the scene, and remains in custody at Rikers Island without bail.
Friends of Jacob, speaking to NBC News, revealed a heartbreaking detail: Jacob had grown increasingly isolated since entering his relationship with Donald. This sense of alienation is a common thread among survivors of intimate partner violence, where emotional manipulation and control can slowly erode one’s connections with the outside world, making it harder to escape or even recognize the danger.
The Legal Fallout
Donald Zieben-Hood now faces a staggering array of charges: two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary, one count of second-degree assault, two counts of aggravated criminal contempt, eight counts of first-degree criminal contempt, and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. As of now, Donald has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his lawyer has declined to comment.
But no legal proceedings can undo the suffering Jacob endured. And while the investigation is ongoing, and murder charges could be filed in the future, there’s no denying the trauma that lingered in Jacob’s final days. What was supposed to be a lifelong partnership became a prison, and tragically, the ultimate cost of that betrayal was his life.
A Call for Support and Awareness
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in his statement, urged anyone who is experiencing abuse to reach out for help, stressing that support is available. “If you or someone you know is being abused by a current or former partner, we encourage you to call us at 212-335-9373 where trained professionals can provide resources and help.”
For the LGBTQ+ community, where relationships often face unique societal pressures, stories like Jacob’s serve as a stark reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing intimate partner violence in all its forms. Abuse doesn’t always look like the clichés we see in movies or TV shows—it can be subtle, insidious, and incredibly isolating. If you or someone you love is in an unsafe relationship, it’s crucial to seek help before it’s too late.
In the end, this tragic story reminds us that love should never come with fear. Everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected in their relationships—no one should ever have to endure what Jacob did. His story may be heart-wrenching, but it’s one that must be heard if we’re to stop the cycle of violence that far too many still experience in silence.
This story may be hard to read, but it’s important that it’s told. If you or someone you know is struggling in an abusive relationship, please don’t hesitate to seek help. You’re never alone.
They chaege him with all that other stuff but don’t charge him with murder or even manslaughter? That’s nuts
I understand the confusion with the delay, but this charge is preliminary and can be upgraded.
They are still waiting on the medical examiner’s final report, and if you’re going to charge somebody with manslaughter (probably the final outcome, or a lesser degree of murder), when there were no witnesses, then all the circumstantial evidence isn’t enough. You need to prove it with the science. They’re taking time cuz this investigation requires it if you want to nail him without risk of ANY doubt among a jury.
As a gay man in NYC, I know people who knew Jacob, and nobody wants them to fuck up this case. That’s why I myself am interested, regularly checking for updates.
“Yet, as of October 2023, no one has been charged with murder, and investigators are still waiting on autopsy results to confirm the exact cause of death.”
October 2023? He was killed in August 2025.