Owner of Knaus Berry Farm in Florida is nearly bludgeoned to death with a flashlight by her adult son
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The owner of a popular family farm, known for its homemade strawberries and cinnamon buns, was nearly bludgeoned to death with a flashlight by her adult son when she refused to give him money.
But, a new police report revealed that the attack by Travis Grafe, 40, who brutally beat his parents, Rachel Knaus Grafe and Herbert Grafe, owners of the beloved Knaus Berry Farms, on Friday at the family home, was due to that he did not love his mother. remain his legal guardian, according to a new police report, foxnews informed.
Miami-Dade police officers initially received a call about a domestic assault at the family’s home on Friday. When officers arrived at 248th Street around 8:30 p.m., they found 66-year-old Rachel lying unconscious in a pool of blood. She had been beaten to a pulp, and the lantern was found nearby covered in bloodstains.
Rachel’s injuries were so severe that she had to be airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she is currently in critical condition. Herbert Grafe, who suffered head injuries, is expected to make a full recovery.
Travis, who fled to a neighbor’s house in a golf cart, confessed to the brutal assault, telling them, “I just killed my mother,” an officer said. CBSMiami, before being arrested and treated at a hospital. He was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and robbery, according to Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation online records.
Travis Grafe, 40, was taken into custody after the heinous attack and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and robbery, according to Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation online records.
Rachel, 66, was found unconscious in a pool of blood, beaten to a pulp. Her injuries were so severe that she had to be airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she is currently in critical condition.
Knaus Berry Farms has been a Homestead-area staple for more than four decades starting as a small roadside stand selling strawberries and tomatoes and later growing into one of the largest farms in Miami-Dade and it has been in its present location since 1956.
When Travis Grafe was a teenager, he suffered a traumatic brain injury from an accident and his mother was granted guardianship, Local 10 News reported.
During the police interview, Grafe admitted to hitting his mother because he said he no longer wanted her to be his legal guardian, according to the news outlet.
“I really believe that if that never happened, this wouldn’t have happened either,” said a close family friend.
Shocked and upset, she described her friend Rachel as “an extremely sweet and wonderful person.”
The farm that was temporarily closed over the weekend reopened Monday afternoon.
A photo of Knaus Berry Farms’ signature sticky cinnamon buns
On Sunday, Knaus Berry Farm thanked the community for their kindness and prayers and first responders.
Knaus Berry Farm, located at 248th St in Homestead, has been a South Florida staple since 1956.
The farm started with a small roadside stand selling strawberries and tomatoes and later grew into one of the most popular farms in the area serving a variety of homemade baked goods, vegetables, strawberries, ice cream and desserts.
The farm has a loyal following. Many of his clients are members of the community who have come to the farm since they were children. Many outsiders are known to visit the farm for its friendly service and homemade delicacies.
On Sunday, Knaus Berry Farms sent out a post thanking the community and first responders for their prayers and kindness.
Travis is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.