The death of a man found stabbed inside his Harlem apartment this summer has been ruled a homicide, officials said Friday, intensifying an investigation that has already led to assault charges against his husband, a New York model.
The New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Jacob Zieben-Hood died of “multiple blunt and sharp force injuries” on his legs and other body areas. The office listed “acute alcohol and lorazepam intoxication and chronic alcohol use” as contributing factors.
Zieben-Hood, 34, was found dead and with stab wounds inside his Harlem apartment on Aug. 1. Charging documents indicate that one of the stab wounds was deep enough to penetrate muscle.
His husband, Donald Zieben-Hood, was arrested the same day and indicted last month for attacking Jacob, but he has not been charged for Jacob’s death.
Prosecutors have not charged anyone with murder in connection to the case. Officials previously said they were investigating the case as a homicide, but cautioned that they were waiting for the autopsy’s results.
“As we’ve stated in court, this is an ongoing homicide investigation, and we won’t have any further update until the next court date,” Rachel Best, a spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, said in a statement Friday.
Donald Zieben-Hood’s charges included two counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary, one count of second-degree assault, two counts of aggravated criminal contempt, eight counts of first-degree criminal contempt and one count of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his attorney did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday.
Before Jacob Zieben-Hood’s death, his husband was arrested at least two times for attacking him. Several of Jacob Zieben-Hood’s acquaintances previously told NBC News that he appeared to become increasingly isolated from his friends once he met Donald Zieben-Hood roughly a decade ago.
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