Beloved Nebraska pastor killed by adopted son, 36, who dismembered body then put knives in dishwasher, prosecutors say
- GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
The adopted son of a Nebraska minister has been charged with the brutal murder and dismembering of his father.
Martin Zak, 36, has been accused of stabbing and dismembering John Zak, 69, on Wednesday, then taking his father's wallet and fleeing in his car.
John, a deacon at St. Peter Catholic Church in Omaha, was reported missing by his wife, Mary, after she came home from work that night and found her husband nowhere to be found, WOWT reported.
'She had returned home from work and noticed that something wasn’t right, and that’s when she initially called and reported him missing,' said Omaha Police Department Lt. Nick Andrews.
Mary told police that when she went to work that day, she dropped Martin off at a 'mental health program.'
When she returned home, she found the back door damaged, and when she tried to call her husband, his phone rang in her son's pocket, prosecutors said.
Police arrived and found a trail of blood on the back door and in an area leading to Martin’s room in the basement.
John Zak (pictured with his wife Mary), 69, a deacon at St. Peter Catholic Church in Omaha, was found dismembered in his home
John's adopted son, Martin Zak, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder. Police say he stabbed and dismembered his father, and they found John's body parts around the house
'Officers searched the house and found a tote under the porch with a lid. The tote contained a dismembered torso of the victim. Other body parts were located in and outside of the home,' prosecutors said.
Court records show that John had been stabbed in the chest, back and head, and investigators found knives located in the dishwasher.
Martin was arrested the next day following a police chase when investigators found him driving his father's car and with John's wallet in his possession.
Police also said that Martin discarded his phone on the interstate, and they found John's clothes with blood on them.
Martin has been charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a different felony, flight to avoid arrest and theft of a vehicle.
He is being held at Douglas County Corrections without bond, and his next court hearing is scheduled for April 17.
Martin has a previous criminal record dating back to 2012 that includes unlawful occupancy, willful reckless driving, assault by mutual consent and third-degree domestic assault.
Mary told police that Martin lived with his parents, but did not have a key to the home and was not allowed to be there alone.
John also worked as a respiratory therapist and was ordained a deacon in 1998
John and Mary shared seven biological children with Mary, as well as seven adopted children and 31 grandchildren
A vigil for John is set for Friday, and his funeral will be held on Saturday, according to St. Peter Catholic Church.
A statement from Rev. John P. Broheimer, pastor of the church, said that John was ordained a deacon in 1998, and that his family has been a part of the church for nearly 40 years.
John also worked as a respiratory therapist and shared seven biological children with Mary, as well as seven adopted children.
'He was an avid reader who loved to learn. He was a gifted musician who played numerous instruments, including accordion, guitar, organ, and piano. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, and documenting his life through photography,' his obituary stated.
'He was a notorious sweet tooth who loved chocolate. He enjoyed a strong cup of coffee and a strong pour of whiskey. He rooted for the Nebraska Cornhuskers in good times and in bad. But most of all, he was devoted to his wife and best friend of 46 years and to his family who he led, loved, and served unfailingly.'
