A Catholic deacon was found dismembered in his Omaha home, and his adult son has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the homicide, authorities report.
Arrest of Martin Zak
On March 13, the Omaha Police Department arrested 36-year-old Martin Zak in connection with the death of his father, John Zak. The police said Martin Zak is responsible for the brutal murder of his father, a deacon at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, who had been missing since March 11.
Discovery of John Zak’s Dismembered Body
John Zak, a beloved deacon who served at St. Peter’s Catholic Church for over 25 years, did not show up for work on March 11. His wife, Mary Zak, became concerned and attempted to contact him. She called his phone, which rang in Martin Zak’s pocket. When confronted, Martin allegedly denied it was his father’s phone. Further investigation revealed that the back door of the home had been damaged, and Martin was not supposed to be there without his parents.
Mary Zak then called the police, and officers arrived to find John Zak’s dismembered body inside the home. The knives suspected to be used in the dismemberment were found in the dishwasher. His torso was located in a tote under the porch, with other body parts scattered both inside and outside the house.
Pursuit and Arrest
The following day, police located Martin Zak driving his father’s car and in possession of his father’s wallet. A pursuit ensued, but police were able to apprehend Martin after a short chase. He was taken into custody and booked on charges including first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, flight to avoid arrest, and theft by unlawful taking.
Background and Mental Health Struggles
Martin Zak had been living with his parents at the time of the murder. His mental health struggles were known to his family and friends. Cindy Englekamp, a friend of the family, stated that while Mary and John Zak had been trying to set boundaries with their son, they still loved him and wanted to help. She expressed disbelief that Martin would go to such extremes.
Martin Zak’s criminal history includes charges dating back to 2012, including unlawful occupancy, reckless driving, assault by mutual consent, and third-degree assault.
Court Appearance and Charges
At his first court appearance on March 16, Martin Zak was formally charged with first-degree murder and other offenses. He is being held without bond and is scheduled for a court hearing on April 17. If convicted, he could face a life sentence in prison.
