An Arizona grandmother who had twice battled cancer died from injuries sustained in an assault outside her Tucson apartment complex, according to court documents. Susan Gehrke, 61, was punched with such force that her dentures were dislodged during the incident on Friday.
Prosecutors allege that Dahseir Edward Jefferson, 27, attacked Gehrke after assaulting a friend of hers in what authorities described as a random act. Gehrke had approached the situation to assist her unidentified friend when Jefferson struck her, knocking her unconscious. She fell, hitting her head, and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Gehrke underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed and was placed on a ventilator before her death on July 29.
Jefferson has been charged with second-degree murder. According to court papers, he had a history of violent offenses. State Department of Corrections records indicate Jefferson was convicted in 2021 of aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery, for which he received a five-year sentence and was released in October 2024. His disciplinary record while incarcerated reportedly included infractions such as disorderly conduct, weapon possession, and tampering with security devices.
Family members described Gehrke as a resilient individual who had recently been planning her retirement party. A local fundraiser stated that her life, marked by "love, warmth, and resilience," was ended by a "senseless act of violence."
Gehrke's family told Fox8 that she was not confrontational and likely approached the situation to de-escalate it. Her daughter Felicia noted the severity of her mother's injuries, stating that she was unrecognizable and that her 15-year-old grandson could not be allowed to see her in the hospital. Gehrke's grandson Frankie Zills questioned the efficacy of rehabilitation for individuals with violent criminal histories.
Gehrke had been on the verge of retirement, a milestone she had worked towards and was anticipating enjoying with her children and grandchildren. Her family remembered her as a devoted individual who prioritized others and was a "beacon of light."