GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A jury has found Jacob Ryan guilty on all counts in the stabbing death of a Rockford mother and for attacking her two young children in 2021.
Ryan was 29 years old when he admitted to detectives he stabbed Ciara Paul to death at his home in the 7000 block of Cannon Place Drive NE back on Sept. 16, 2021. They were dating at the time.
He's also accused of cutting her two children, who were 2 years old and 5 years old at the time. They have since recovered.
The jury delivered a guilty verdict for murder and two counts of assault with intent to murder.
The judge set a sentencing date for April 27.
According to court documents filed in the case, a woman called 911 to check on the home. The caller stated Ryan had Facetimed her and he had, "bloody hands that looked stabbed up."
Ryan allegedly told the woman he came home and found Paul dead, her five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son missing, and he was heading to Georgia.
Deputies found Paul dead in the living room with stab wounds. Her children were also found with cuts to their throat. A family member said the children have since been released from the hospital and are in the care of their father.
The affidavit continues to read that Ryan's cousin talked with him the day before Paul's body was found and Ryan told him that "Ciara left him at the food court and he was going to make her pay and be on the run."
The cousin then got another call from Ryan later the same day where Ryan said he needed to take care of business. "During the call, Jacob said, "there she is standing there" and then hung up the phone."
The cousin added Ryan has some mental issues with angry outbursts.
Ryan was later arrested in Toledo, Ohio. Authorities said he had significant cuts to his hands, and blood on his luggage and belongings.
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