Manhattan Fitness Celeb Found Dead, Partner in Custody

In an unsettling revelation linked to the Manhattan fitness circuit, a personal trainer and social media influencer was discovered lifeless with multiple knife injuries in their New York City dwelling. His partner, another fitness model named Donald Zieben-Hood, who dialed 911 upon discovering the brutal scene, has seen his bail petition turned down and remains in custody. Donald was taken into police custody for violating a protection order from the previous November that prohibited contact with his husband. The incident is presently under investigation as a potentially malicious crime.

During the late-night emergency call to report the distressing situation, Donald confessed to the dispatcher about the protective order against him, fully aware of the potential consequences. Donald’s spouse, 34-year-old Jacob Zieben-Hood’s death, is currently being examined as a possible case of violent crime. For his lack of respect for the court’s order, Donald is facing charges of first-degree burglary, defined under law as an offense when the accused causes physical harm during a crime commission.

Donald, now in legal trouble, also faces offences related to possession of a weapon and the aggravated criminal transgression of flouting the order of protection. The prosecutors in Donald’s case presented chilling details during his arraignment. They illustrated a timeline of increasing violent actions from Donald towards Jacob despite repeated court orders. This pattern tragically culminated in the loss of Jacob’s life.

Living their lives as fitness models and digital influencers, both Jacob and Donald had a considerable following in the online realm, particularly within the fitness community. Jacob’s social media profile is replete with snapshots that document their life together since 2016, which visibly showcased their well-maintained physiques and shared travels. A joyous post from August 2020, shows Jacob announcing their marriage, accompanied by a shared photograph.

In his professional life, Jacob had pursued medical studies and had been involved in training at a fitness center specialized in wireless electrical muscle stimulation. The night of the incident, Jacob purportedly contacted his father, expressing that he felt threatened by Donald and that his partner was not letting him leave their shared living space. The 911 call from Donald and subsequent discovery brought the law enforcement officers to their doorstep.

According to the account given by the prosecution, the phone call with Jacob’s father also captured the almost tangible tension, as angry shouts and slurs from Donald were audible in the backdrop. The investigation scene painted a grim picture: with Donald seated on the couch, he asserted that he had been attacked by Jacob. Scrutinizing him, the police found three injuries on his arms that needed suturing.

A more eerie scene unfolded as the officers discovered Jacob in a bloodied state on the floor, bearing slashes on his head and blade injuries, primarily concentrated on the back of his leg. One of these wounds, which punctured his calf muscle, appears to have caused severe blood loss as it might have severed an artery. On further inspection, multiple knives were found within the apartment, upsizing the scale of the incident.

The law enforcement authorities have mandated a post-mortem analysis to ascertain the true nature of Jacob’s injuries — whether they were accidental, self-inflicted, or the result of a hostile act. Earlier, in the same year, Donald had two recorded instances of assault against Jacob, which took place in their Harlem residence. These occurred late at night on February 26 and early on the following theme, with Jacob being the target of choking and facial assault.

These prior domestic altercations saw Jacob almost losing consciousness during the first event and sustaining facial injuries, swelling, and cuts in the second incident. Owing to these assaults, Donald faced a multitude of charges, including assault, strangulation and obstruction of breathing. These offences led to court-ordered bail amounting to $20,000.

On the evening of June 14, Donald reportedly threatened Jacob with a knife in front of their home and was subsequently charged with menacing and contempt of court. This violation led to another bail of $5,000. The next hearing for these ongoing cases is slated for August 28.

Furthermore, besides these ongoing cases, the court records spoke of nine other domestic disturbances dating back to March 2024, where Donald was not arrested, but law enforcement was involved. In one such instance, a concerned neighbor had dialled 911. The police discovered Jacob with a bleeding head wound. Both Jacob and Donald attributed it to a fall.

Regardless of the protective order, it is not crystal clear whether Donald had resumed living with Jacob. Donald’s attorney, on behalf of the family, stated that they are unaware of any ‘consensual contact’. The relationship’s nature during the protective order’s duration is said to be erratic at times, as per the defence lawyer.

The advocate is currently aiding Donald’s mother to navigate the complex criminal justice system. The distraught mother, who loves her son and is now in unchartered waters, is doing her best under the circumstances. She is perplexed and in agony, having not had any contact with Donald and aware of the serious nature of events.

The couple had become residents of the Harlem building about a year ago, as per local dwellers. Their heated arguments had made them an infamous figure in the neighborhood. Their past included a default on their rental payments, leading to accumulated arrears of over $50,000, resulting in eviction. Their squabbles, often over various issues, had gained attention, and their behaviors raised a neighbor named Craig’s concerns who predicted that something terrible was imminent.