Adoptee Arrested for Killing Adoptive Father

“Police in Nebraska arrested the adult son of an Onaha Catholic deacon Wednesday, for allegedly killing him.

OSV News reported that at approximately 11:30 p.m., Omaha Police Department officers found John Zak, a deacon at St. Peter Catholic Church in Omaha, dead in his home. The officers were responding to a missing persons call at the deacon’s home on Cass Street when they discovered his body.

Martin Zak, 36, was taken into custody the next morning, sometime after 8:30 a.m., following an almost four-mile police chase.

Zak has been charged with suspicion of criminal homicide, felony flight to evade arrest, and felony theft of at least $5000.

He is being held at Douglas County jail on a $1 million bond after his Friday bond hearing.

Archdiocese of Omaha’s post spoke on John’s death, saying he was “saddened to learn of the tragic death.”

The Archdiocese stated that John was more than a deacon; he was also the director of the parish’s youth group and a catechism teacher.

Omaha Police Officers Association‘s post described the deacon as “an active member of the community.” The Association extended their thoughts to John’s family.

According to KETV, Zak and his wife adopted Martin Zak as an infant.”

Police Nab Adopted Nebraska Son Following Chase, Accused of Killing Catholic Deacon Dad

[Crime Online 3/14/26 by Shanon Quaranta]

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