On May 22, 2026, a witness contacted 911 and reported seeing Zachary Henderson Gabel, (D. O. B. 8-14- 1990), Defendant herein, parked in his truck outside of Victim's residence in the city of Oak Park Heights, Washington County, Minnesota. Defendant then drove the truck into the garage door. Defendant then ran toward the front door, and Victim, a known adult, could be heard screaming for help. Defendant then dragged Victim inside of the house and closed the door. Witness then contacted 911 because they knew Defendant no longer lived there.
Officers walked the property and saw that the garage door had been rammed by a vehicle. There were several plants between the houses that had been trampled. The wreath on the front door had been broken. The front door had been forced open and the deadbolt was still in place. There were black marks about waist high that appeared to be kicking marks. The door frame was detached after the door had been forced open. There was a chunk of hair on the ground as well as drops of blood on the ground. There was blood streaked on the ground.
It seemed like the marks were caused by dragging someone through the house. The blood led to a bedroom where Victim [NAME REDACTED]. Victim [NAME REDACTED] in a pool of blood that had soaked into the carpet. There was a vehicle in the garage that Defendant was the registered owner of it. There was damage to the parked vehicle. It looked like it had been impacted when the truck struck the garage door. Law enforcement then spoke with Victim's mother. Mother said that Victim had been transported to the hospital.
Mother said that Victim [NAME REDACTED] in her house after he finished rehab but then he had relapsed. Law enforcement attempted to locate Defendant and were unable to do so. Law enforcement learned Defendant was not on the mortgage Defendant grabbed Victim and forced her against her will into the residence as she screamed while being dragged into the house. Victim [NAME REDACTED] at the hospital for her injuries. Victim had a fractured jaw, there was a piece of bone that had been broken in her face and now it was just free floating.
She had severe bruises on her ribs and legs and scraps all over her body. During Victim's first interactions with Defendant in her bedroom, Defendant had taken her phone and iPad so she was unable to call 911. Victim [NAME REDACTED] told her he was going to kill her and then himself. Victim [NAME REDACTED] in the morning of May 22, 2026, Defendant had relapsed and came to her house early in the morning and tried to gain access. Victim [NAME REDACTED] went back to bed. Victim [NAME REDACTED] in her bedroom.
Victim then ran out of the house to get help and Defendant dragged her back in screaming. Victim [NAME REDACTED] did not have keys to the home and did not have permission to be inside her home. On May 23, 2026, Officers were able to take a Mirandized statement from Defendant. Defendant said he 2 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 5/26/2026 went to rehab in Florida near his dad. Defendant said that Victim had agreed to quit using while he was gone at rehab. Defendant said that he and Victim had been together 17 years and that he did not tell anyone she was using because she didn't want him to.
