What happened to Jacob Zieben Hood? Cause of Death, Fitness Influencer Found Dead!

Jacob Zieben Hood, a fitness influencer and personal trainer, was found dead in his New York City apartment in August 2025. On October 17, 2025, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner officially ruled his death a homicide.

The discovery came after Hood’s estranged husband, Donald, called 911. According to a report by the New York Post on October 1, Donald claimed he fell asleep following an argument with Jacob and awoke to find Jacob’s bloody body in the bathroom. Police who responded to the scene observed severe stab wounds on Hood’s head and legs, with blood splattered across furniture, walls, floors, and countertops.

An investigation detailed by People Magazine on October 17 revealed that Jacob had previously reported multiple assaults by Donald earlier in the year, despite a protective order issued against him. Donald was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of burglary, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal contempt. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At a Manhattan Supreme Court hearing on October 1, prosecutors disclosed that Donald had nine prior incidents of domestic violence reported since 2022. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the escalation of Donald’s dangerous behavior, stating, “As alleged, Donald Ziebenhood escalated his threatening conduct towards his husband in multiple acts of intimate partner violence over the course of a year. My thoughts are with Mr. Zieben’s loved ones.”

Further details from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office revealed that Donald assaulted Jacob in February and March of 2025. In July, Jacob reached out to his father, reporting another assault where Donald unlawfully entered his home. He sent photos showing minor cuts and bruises on his face and a large, bleeding stab wound on the back of his leg.

Co-workers at Manhattan’s CompleteBody gym noticed frequent bruises and scars on Jacob but said he dismissed their concerns, attributing the injuries to street fights or accidents. Gym manager Irina Caisin remarked that Jacob tried to maintain a “picture-perfect relationship” despite the abuse, stating, “It’s one of those crimes, where you might not know this person well, but when you read about it and you look at this picture-perfect relationship, always together, always holding hands, just ‘love is in the air,’ and then you just realize it’s not the happy relationship they’re trying to portray.”

Jacob Zieben Hood was 34 years old at the time of his death. It remains unclear whether additional charges will be filed against Donald. Further updates on the case are expected.