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Tracking down man who police say was hired to murder Leon Jacob's ex-girlfriend

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HOUSTON – Channel 2 Investigates tracked down the man whom investigators said was hired by Leon Jacob to carry out the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

The man, known as Zach, has not been charged in the case. Court records show that police found Zach after a tip from a Houston City Council member who works as a bail bondsman. Officers said they worked with Zach to set up a sting for Jacob and his veterinarian girlfriend Valerie McDaniel.

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LISTEN: Recordings McDaniel left before her death

"I have no comment at this time," Zach told Channel 2 investigator Joel Eisenbaum.

Jacob and McDaniel plotted to kill their exes, according to police.

McDaniel took her own life last week.

Before her death, McDaniel left recordings for KPRC2 in connectino with the crime.

"I didn't wake up one day and just say, 'Hey, I want to kill my ex-husband,'" McDaniel said.

McDaniel said she and Jacob met with Zach and another man, who turned out to be an HPD undercover officer, at an Olive Garden on the 59 Southwest Freeway near Buffalo Speedway.

McDaniel and Jacob were later arrested.

READ: Leon Jacob's troubled past

"I knew this was serious by the way he talked to me and the way he acted," Michael Kubosh said.

Bail bondsman and city council member Kubosh tipped off investigators off to the murder-for-hire plot.

Jacob went to Kubosh in February after Jacob was charged with stalking his ex-girlfriend.

Kubosh said Jacob asked for the phone number of Zach, who was also a client of Kubosh.

"Do you expect to be charged in this?" KPRC2's Eisenbaum asked Zach.

Zach offered no comment.

Channel 2 legal analyst Brian Wice said Zach likely won't face charges because it appears he did nothing illegal.

"He hasn't done anything wrong," Wice said.

KPRC2 spoke with Zach's mother.

"My son is the best guy. The best guy. You know the best guy? He's my son," she said.

Jacob remains in jail. 

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About the Authors
Joel Eisenbaum headshot

Emmy-Winning Storyteller & Investigator

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