A 61-year-old Tucson grandmother who had survived cancer twice was killed last month after a man punched her in the face outside an apartment complex, leaving her with a fatal brain bleed. Susan Gehrke died on July 29 — just days before her 62nd birthday.
What Happened Outside the Apartment
On July 24, Gehrke visited her boyfriend at an apartment complex near North Alvernon Way and Speedway in Tucson. That’s when 27-year-old Dahseir Jefferson was knocking on a neighbor’s door.
Gehrke stepped outside and told Jefferson the resident was not home. Jefferson allegedly became aggressive, cursing at her. When her boyfriend came out and briefly argued with Jefferson, he was punched first — falling and hitting his head on the sidewalk.
As Gehrke walked over to check on him, Jefferson punched her in the face.
The force of the blow sent her dentures flying and shattered them on impact. She fell, hit her head, suffered a brain bleed, and had to be placed on a ventilator.
Family Left Devastated
When Gehrke’s family arrived at the hospital, they were not prepared for what they saw.
“She was beat so bad,” her daughter Felicia said. “I was like, ‘He can’t come up here and see her’ — referring to her 15-year-old son who had come with them.”
Her grandson Frankie Zills described his grandmother simply: “She’s an old lady. She probably just wanted to get him up and go inside.”
Suspect Had Long Criminal History
Court records show Jefferson had prior convictions including aggravated assault in 2021 and multiple violations while incarcerated.
“How many innocent people have to be taken before the state figures out you can’t rehabilitate people like this?” Frankie Zills said.
Where the Case Stands
Jefferson faces a second-degree murder charge and is due in court for arraignment on August 11. A GoFundMe has been launched to support Gehrke’s family as they plan her funeral — a milestone that was supposed to be her retirement celebration.