The death of Jacob Zieben, a model and fitness influencer found with fatal stab wounds in his Harlem apartment, has been officially ruled a homicide. According to New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Zieben died from "multiple blunt and sharp force injuries," with "acute alcohol and lorazepam intoxication and chronic alcohol use" noted as contributing factors, according to NBC New York.
Jacob was found deceased on August 1, with multiple stab wounds including a deep cut on his leg that penetrated muscle, a detail mentioned during an arraignment reported by the Daily News. His estranged husband, Donald Zieben-Hood, was arrested the same day. Although the death has been ruled a homicide, Donald has not been charged with murder but faces charges including burglary, criminal contempt, and weapons possession. The investigation remains active, with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office withholding further updates until the next court hearing.
Donald Zieben-Hood's legal troubles with his husband trace back to at least 2022, where multiple domestic violence incidents between the two were reported. This year, before Jacob's death, Donald was arrested twice on allegations of attacking his husband, one incident with a claim of strangulation and another with menacing using a knife. Despite these charges, Donald was reportedly freed on bail after both arrests.
On the night prior to Jacob's death, he reached out to his father, voicing concerns that Donald had assaulted him with a knife and had confined him in their apartment. "The victim, meanwhile, was slumped over on the floor covered in blood with gashes from his head and multiple stab wounds to the back of his leg, including a stabbing on the back of his calf that penetrated his muscle," a prosecutor stated during the initial arraignment, according to the Daily News. In a 911 call, Donald stated that Jacob had attacked him but did not mention Jacob’s injuries to the responding officers.
Zieben-Hood is currently being held at Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 7, 2026.
