- Jack Joseph Ball, 24, pleaded guilty to premeditated first-degree murder and first-degree murder of an unborn child in his pregnant sister's death.
- Prosecutors recommended a life sentence in the plea agreement and dropped additional counts, including several second-degree murder charges.
- Israel visited Ball's home for dinner; her mother found blood, called 911, and officers discovered remains, tools, and knives inside.
- Investigators found Ball nearby with a self-inflicted neck injury after a resident reported video of apparent remains placed on a Rosemount doorstep.
- Police recovered journals in which Ball expressed anger about his sister's pregnancy, which prosecutors cited as a possible motive.
LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA — Jack Joseph Ball, 24, has pleaded guilty to premeditated first-degree murder and premeditated first-degree murder of an unborn child in the death of his pregnant sister, Bethany Ann Israel, 30, and her baby, according to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors have recommended a life sentence as part of the plea agreement.
Plea Deal Filed After Mental Illness Defense Raised
Prior to the guilty plea, Ball had asserted a defense of mental illness, prosecutors stated. Additional charges, including second-degree murder counts, were dropped as part of the plea deal.
Victim Reported Missing After Visiting Brother’s Home
Israel went to Ball’s residence for dinner but could not be reached after several hours, prosecutors said. Family members became concerned, and their mother drove to the home to check on them.
Prosecutors said the mother saw Ball leave the house quickly and then entered the residence, where she observed a large amount of blood and called 911.
Police Response Led to Search in Multiple Locations
Officers responding to the scene observed blood inside the home and multiple tools and knives, court documents cited by prosecutors stated. Investigators also located remains in the residence.
A separate 911 call then came in from a resident in Rosemount who reported seeing what appeared to be human remains placed on a front step on a home security camera, prosecutors said.
Suspect Found Nearby With Self-Inflicted Injury
After a brief search, Ball was located in the backyard of a neighboring home, prosecutors stated. He had a self-inflicted injury to his neck and was taken to a hospital before being booked into custody.
Journals Cited as Possible Motive
Investigators said they recovered journals written by Ball in which he expressed anger toward his sister because she was pregnant and “no longer innocent,” according to prosecutors.
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena called the allegations “deeply disturbing and horrific” and said her office would continue working with law enforcement to pursue accountability and support the victims’ family.
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