Donald Zieben-Hood Indicted After Husband’s Death

A Manhattan grand jury indicted Donald Zieben-Hood on 15 felony counts and one misdemeanor on October 1, 2025, covering three separate 2025 incidents in which the New York City model allegedly attacked his husband Jacob Zieben-Hood and repeatedly violated orders of protection. The indictment does not include a murder or manslaughter charge, even though Jacob was later found dead in the couple’s Harlem apartment and the medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. Donald pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail at Rikers Island.¹

The Counts in the Indictment

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the charges, which were filed in New York State Supreme Court:¹

Burglary in the First Degree, two counts (Class B felony)
Burglary in the Second Degree, two counts (Class C felony)
Assault in the Second Degree, one count (Class D felony)
Aggravated Criminal Contempt, two counts (Class D felony)
Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, eight counts (Class E felony)
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, one count (Class A misdemeanor)

The burglary counts stem from the allegation that Donald entered the couple’s West 138th Street apartment while barred from it by court order. The eight first-degree criminal contempt counts and two aggravated criminal contempt counts correspond to alleged repeated violations of those orders across the three incidents.¹

The Three Incidents Behind the Charges

A full order of protection was issued against Donald in November 2024, directing him to stay away from Jacob and their apartment.² Police had already filed nine domestic incident reports involving the couple dating back to 2022.³

On February 25, 2025, Donald allegedly entered the apartment and attacked Jacob, who prosecutors said “almost lost consciousness” and had swelling, pain, and redness to his neck consistent with strangulation. Donald was charged with strangulation and other felonies, pleaded not guilty, and was released on $20,000 bail. A second order of protection followed in April 2025.⁴

On June 14, 2025, Donald allegedly returned to the apartment holding a kitchen knife toward Jacob and saying, “I will attack you.” He refused to open the door for responding officers, who forced entry and arrested him. He was charged with menacing and criminal contempt and released on $5,000 bail. A third order of protection was issued after this incident.⁴

The third incident is the one that ended in Jacob’s death. On the evening of July 31, 2025, Jacob called his father to say Donald was holding him inside the apartment with knives and would not let him leave. Jacob texted his father photos showing cuts to his face and head and a bleeding gash on the back of his leg, and told him Donald had “attacked, beat, and sliced him,” according to the district attorney’s office.⁵

Why the Indictment Does Not Charge Jacob’s Killing

At about 4 a.m. on August 1, 2025, Donald called 911 and told the operator he had found Jacob dead on the toilet, adding that he would likely be arrested for violating the order of protection. Officers found Jacob slumped over the toilet with multiple stab wounds to his legs, one deep enough to penetrate muscle, and a gash on his head. Donald had three cuts on his arms that required stitches and told officers Jacob had attacked him with a knife.² Prosecutors said they believed a severed artery in Jacob’s leg caused him to bleed to death.⁶

When the indictment was announced on October 1, prosecutors said the investigation into Jacob’s death was still open and autopsy results were being finalized, and they noted the charges could be upgraded.¹ On October 17, 2025, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Jacob’s death a homicide, giving the cause as “multiple blunt and sharp force injuries” and listing acute alcohol and lorazepam intoxication, along with chronic alcohol use, as contributing factors.⁷ As of the most recent reporting, no additional charges had been filed in connection with the death.

Custody and Next Court Date

Donald was denied bail at his August 2025 arraignment and has been in custody since his arrest.⁸ He is being held at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island. His next court date is scheduled for January 7, 2026, and the homicide investigation into Jacob’s death remains open.⁹

1
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment of Donald Ziebenhood
2
NBC New York. Harlem Personal Trainer Killed, Husband Arrested
3
NBC News. Model’s Husband Was Isolated for Years Before He Was Found Dead in NYC Apartment, Friends Say
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NBC News. Model Indicted on Assault Charges After Husband Found Dead in NYC Home
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People. Cause of Death of Jacob Zieben-Hood
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NY Daily News. NYC Fitness Trainer Jacob Zieben-Hood Was on Phone With Dad During Fatal Fight With Estranged Husband
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NY Daily News. Death of Model, Fitness Influencer Ruled Homicide by Medical Examiner
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The Advocate. Donald Zieben-Hood Arrested After Husband Found Dead
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Yahoo News. Death of NYC Model, Fitness Influencer