Gay Model Arrested After His Estranged Husband Was Found Dead in Their New York City Apartment

Gay fitness model Donald Zieben-Hood (photo left), has been arrested after his fitness trainer husband was found dead with multiple stab wounds.

via: People

At approximately 4 a.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 1, Jacob Zieben-Hood, 34 — who worked for the personal training company SystimFit, per his Instagram — was found dead at his Harlem apartment on West 138th Street, NBC 4 New York reported, citing charging documents.

A New York Police Department (NYPD) spokesperson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, "Police responded to a 911 call for an unconscious male inside 250 West 138 Street within the confines of the 32 Precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed an unconscious 34-year-old male with multiple stab wounds to his legs. EMS responded and pronounced the male deceased on scene."

Police confirmed in their statement that no one has been charged with his death at this time, but their investigation is ongoing.

Jacob was discovered slumped over a toilet with multiple wounds across his body, NBC 4 New York reported, citing prosecutors.

He had a gash on his head and several wounds to the back of his leg, including one that was deep enough to penetrate the muscle, per the outlet.

Jacob's husband, Donald Zieben-Hood, 40, has been arrested following the incident, per the New York Daily News.

He was arraigned on Sunday, Aug. 3, on charges of burglary, criminal contempt and weapons possession. Donald has not been charged for the death of his husband, but the case is being investigated as a homicide, according to NBC 4 News.

Jacob and Donald had allegedly got into a fight in their Harlem apartment at around 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, the evening before Jacob was found dead, PIX11 reported, citing court records.

Jacob allegedly called his father during the confrontation and told him his husband had been preventing him from leaving the apartment and threatening him with a knife, per the outlet.

Jacob's father alleged that he could hear Donald in the background of the call, yelling at his son and calling him names, NBC 4 New York reported.

Donald claimed he fell asleep following the alleged dispute, before waking up around 4 a.m. to find Jacob dead, per the New York Post.

Prosecutors allege that Donald cut Jacob with a knife on the head and leg before calling 911, PIX11 reported. He told the operator he had an order of protection against him and was worried he'd be arrested for violating the order.

When police arrived at the scene in the early hours of Friday morning, the defendant — who officials said had three cuts on his arm that needed stitches — allegedly claimed Jacob had attacked him with a knife, according to NBC 4 New York.

The couple had a history of domestic abuse dating back to 2022, the outlet noted, citing officials.

Donald has two open criminal contempt cases, including one for allegedly strangling his husband twice in one night, PIX11 reported, citing prosecutors.

The New York State Unified Court System didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Contact information for an attorney representing Donald Zieben-Hood was unavailable.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.