Martin Zak is charged with murder in connection with the death of his father
Credit: Omaha Police Officers Association; Omaha Police Department
NEED TO KNOW
- Martin Zak is charged with murder in connection with the death of his father, John Zak
- John was a Catholic deacon in Omaha, Neb., a role in which he began in 1998
- Martin is accused of stabbing his father and according to local reports citing prosecutors, dismembering his body
A Nebraska man is accused of killing his father and according to local reports citing prosecutors, dismembering his body.
The Omaha Police Department said in a statement that officers responded to a report of a missing person on March 11, and subsequently found a dead body.
Police identified a blue Mazda as a vehicle of interest and officers later located the car. They tried to pull it over, however, the driver refused to stop and led officers on a chase before he was eventually taken into custody, per the statement.
Martin Zak, 36, was identified as the suspect, while the victim was his 69-year-old father John Zak, police said.
Martin was arrested on suspicion of criminal homicide, felony flight to avoid arrest, and felony theft, according to police.
WOWT and KETV reported that Martin was formally charged and denied bond following a court appearance on Monday, March 16. He is reportedly due back in court for a preliminary hearing on April 17.
Prosecutors alleged in court that Martin, who is adopted, dismembered his father's body and that different body parts were found both inside and outside their home, WOWT reported.
Martin was allegedly stabbed and, according to the outlets citing prosecutors at the hearing, the knives used in the attack were found in the dishwasher.
WOWT reported that even though Martin lived with his parents at the time, he did not have a key to the home and was not allowed inside when they weren't there.
Citing prosecutors, KETV reported that John's wife, Mary, went to look for husband after he failed to show up for a youth group and saw that the back door was damaged.
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Mary subsequently called John's phone, which allegedly rang in Martin's pocket, per the outlet.
In a statement, Archbishop Michael G. McGovern of the Archdiocese of Omaha said John became a deacon in 1998 and served at St. Peter's Church.
"Deacon Zak also directed the parish’s youth group and served as a teacher in the parish catechism program," McGovern said. "As law enforcement continues investigating, please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Deacon Zak, for his family and for the St. Peter parish community in this difficult time."
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