A Tucson woman who had twice overcome cancer has died following an alleged assault outside her apartment complex, authorities confirmed.

Susan Gehrke, 61, died on July 28, 2026, four days after she was attacked on July 24. Dahseir Edward Jefferson, 27, was arrested on July 28 and initially charged with two counts of aggravated assault. Police later amended the charges to second-degree murder following Gehrke's death. Jefferson is being held on a $650,000 bond.

According to the Tucson Police Department, officers responded to reports of a fight at an apartment complex located at 1201 N. Alvernon Way around 10 p.m. on July 24. Upon arrival, they found Gehrke and another individual suffering from injuries. Gehrke was transported to a hospital in critical condition.

Investigators learned that Gehrke and the other male victim were on an apartment patio when Jefferson allegedly approached the area, became confrontational, and assaulted both individuals. The male victim sustained serious injuries after being punched and falling to the ground.

Jefferson fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. Detectives identified Jefferson during the initial investigation and initiated a search. Members of the Tucson Police Department’s community engagement squad apprehended him on July 28 near Speedway Boulevard and Country Club Road.

State records indicate that Jefferson has a prior criminal history, including serving time in an Arizona prison for aggravated assault. He was sentenced to five years in 2021 and released in October 2024. He also has a previous burglary conviction.

Gehrke's family told KOLD that her injuries left her "unrecognizable." They described her as a devoted grandmother who had worked her entire life to support her family and was nearing retirement. The family noted the profound pain of her life being taken by an individual with a history of violence, especially after she had twice beaten cancer. Her family stated, "Susan was a beacon of light to everyone who knew her. She spent her entire life working tirelessly, pouring her heart into her family, and putting others before herself."

Detectives with the department’s Robbery Assault Unit and Homicide Unit are continuing their investigation into the incident.