Donald Zieben-Hood Arrested for Burglary After Husband Found Dead with Multiple Stab Wounds in Harlem

Donald Zieben-Hood, a 40-year-old model, was arrested over the weekend in New York City following the violent death of his estranged husband, Jacob Zieben-Hood, 34, who was discovered with multiple stab wounds in the bathroom of his Harlem apartment. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local LGBTQ+ community and raised urgent questions about domestic violence and legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in relationships.

Jacob Zieben-Hood, a personal trainer and soon-to-be doctor, was found dead in his apartment on the morning of August 1st. According to prosecutors, Jacob was discovered slumped on a toilet, covered in blood, with multiple gashes to his head and stab wounds to his legs, including a deep wound to his calf that punctured the muscle and severed an artery, leading to fatal blood loss.

Prosecutors revealed that on the night before his death, Jacob made a frantic phone call to his father, telling him that Donald was "coming after him" with a kitchen knife. Neighbors reported hearing the couple fighting late into the evening.

Authorities say that Donald Zieben-Hood called police the next morning, claiming he had fallen asleep and awoke to find Jacob injured and in need of medical attention. Donald was treated for several cuts on his arms at the scene.

The couple's relationship had been marked by a history of alleged physical abuse and legal interventions. Court records show that Jacob had filed multiple protection orders against Donald since 2022. Nine separate domestic incident reports had been documented by police over the years, signaling a persistent pattern of conflict.

Earlier in the year, Donald was arrested for allegedly strangling Jacob during a fight in February. In March, police responded to a 911 call reporting another violent altercation, where Jacob was found with a bloody gash on his forehead. Both men told officers at the time that the injury was the result of a fall. In June, court documents state that Donald threatened Jacob with a kitchen knife, prompting the issuance of a second protection order.

At the time of Jacob's death, Donald was under two separate court orders barring contact with Jacob, and prosecutors allege he violated both that night.

Donald Zieben-Hood was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree burglary, criminal contempt, and weapons possession, but so far has not been charged with homicide. He was ordered held without bail at his arraignment on Sunday, August 3, as prosecutors continue to review evidence and consider further charges.

Members of the Harlem LGBTQ+ community and advocates for survivors of intimate partner violence have expressed grief and concern over the tragedy. They are calling for more robust protections for LGBTQ+ individuals facing domestic violence, noting that same-gender couples can face unique barriers when seeking help, including stigma, lack of specialized resources, and inadequate legal protection.

This case highlights the urgent need for culturally competent support services and legal protections for LGBTQ+ people experiencing domestic violence. Advocacy organizations have emphasized that domestic violence does not discriminate by gender, orientation, or background, and that all survivors deserve access to protection and justice.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, resources are available nationwide, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline (thehotline.org) and LGBTQ+ specific organizations such as The Network/La Red (tnlr.org).

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jacob Zieben-Hood’s death remains ongoing, with the community awaiting further legal developments and demanding increased attention to the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and intimate partner violence.