An Arizona family is grieving a heartbreaking loss after a beloved grandmother who had beaten cancer twice died from brain injuries days after she was allegedly attacked by a stranger outside her apartment complex.
Susan Gehrke was just days away from turning 62 and had been preparing for retirement when her life was cut short in what her devastated family called “a senseless act of violence.”
According to her family’s GoFundMe, Gehrke was outside her Tucson apartment complex on July 24 when she and another person were approached by a 27-year-old man. Local outlets KOLD and KVOA, citing Tucson police, reported that the man allegedly punched Gehrke in the face with such force that part of her dentures flew out of her mouth.
Gehrke fell to the ground and hit her head, suffering catastrophic injuries. She was rushed to a nearby hospital in life-threatening condition.
Her family later told KOLD that the injuries were so severe she was left “unrecognizable.” Gehrke was treated for a brain bleed but died on July 29.
Authorities identified the suspect as Dahseir Edward Jefferson. He was arrested on July 28 and initially charged with two counts of aggravated assault, according to KVOA. After Gehrke’s death, prosecutors amended one of the charges to second-degree murder.
Pima County jail records reviewed by PEOPLE show Jefferson is being held at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex on a $650,000 bond.
For Gehrke’s family, the loss is almost impossible to process. In the fundraiser, they described her as a loving mother and grandmother who spent her life working hard, caring for others and putting her family first.
“Susan was a beacon of light to everyone who knew her,” the family wrote. “She spent her entire life working tirelessly, pouring her heart into her family, and putting others before herself.”
They said Gehrke had been looking forward to finally slowing down and enjoying the retirement she had worked so hard to reach.
“She was just on the brink of retiring — a milestone she had worked so hard for and was so excited to finally enjoy,” the family wrote.
Instead, they said, the peaceful next chapter she had been dreaming of was stolen.
“She was looking forward to relaxing, spending endless time with her children and grandchildren, and enjoying the peaceful next chapter of her life,” her family continued. “Tragically, that future was stolen from her and from all of us who loved her so deeply.”
Gehrke’s family said their “hearts are completely shattered” as they mourn a woman they say survived so much, only to lose her life in a sudden and brutal attack just before her birthday and retirement.
