A Missouri man allegedly shot his brother to death in a situation that family members described as a modern-day version of the biblical story of Cain and Abel.
Jacob Ackerman, 43, admitted to authorities that he shot his brother in the back of the head, killing him, according to a probable cause affidavit. Ackerman said that the killing was over an argument about a girl, but family members had described the situation as a modern-day "Cain and Abel" according to a medical examiner investigator.
In the Bible story, Cain and Abel each make offerings to God. While Abel's offering is favored, Cain's is not. Cain then kills Abel about of jealousy and is cursed by God.
Ackerman's brother was described as being successful in life and while Ackerman was a convicted felon with a string of criminal convictions, including drug possession in 2001, burglary in 2006, and domestic assault in 2006.
According to court documents, the investigation began as a welfare check. The victim's phone was being tracked through the "Life 360" application. Relatives of the victim became alarmed when the phone, which was geolocated near a pond, had not moved for several hours.
Police were sent a screenshot from the application showing the location and went there. They found the victim lying on his back with a large wound to the back of the head. The victim's Mercedes was nowhere to be found. According to court documents, relatives immediately suspected Ackerman.
"The relatives inquired as to the whereabouts of the victim's brother who they identified as Jacob Ackerman and stated they believed he was responsible for the victim's death," the affidavit states.
Police found the victim's Mercedes in Ackerman's driveway and eventually tracked Ackerman down at a McDonald's in Kansas City, where he was taken into custody: "After being detained a relative of Jacob's asked him why he killed the victim. Jacob did not respond and looked at her with a blank stare on his face," documents state.
The relatives also told police that "[Ackerman's] mental health had been declining and Jacob had been jealous of the victim for most of his life due to the victim being successful in life and Jacob struggling."
Relatives also found and sent police a "selfie" picture of the victim, Ackerman, and a dog at the pond in the same location of the murder. Police also got surveillance video from a gas station near the crime scene that showed the victim buying something while Ackerman sat in the Mercedes.
Ackerman agreed to talk to police without an attorney and admitted to shooting the victim. He later told them where he had hidden the murder weapon, according to the affidavit.
