Police have revealed details of the brutal attack on the owners of the well-known farmhouse and bakery, Knaus Berry Farms, located in Homestead, allegedly by his own son.
Travis Grafe, 40, faces charges including attempted first-degree murder in the attack that happened last Friday at the home at 24500 Southwest 157th Avenue.
According to the arrest report, officers arrived at the home around 8:30 p.m. after a call about an incident at that address. Officers found Rachel Knaus Grafe (inmate’s mother) unconscious on the ground with a large bloodstained flashlight nearby.
The report says Travis Grafe was later found at a friend’s house at 15901 Southwest 240th Street, where the friend allegedly told police he heard Grafe say he thought he killed his mother, after hitting her multiple times. in the head with a flashlight.
The arrest report notes that investigators also made contact with another witness who testified that while he was on the phone with the inmate’s father (Herbert Grafe) he heard the accused, whom he acknowledged voice like a family friend, tell him he had killed the mother. and later the accused allegedly said he wanted the money, otherwise he would kill him too.
Herbert Grafe was found by police at Jackson Memorial Hospital with head injuries and told officers he was unconscious for some time after being attacked. Rachel Knaus Grafe was airlifted to hospital and remains in critical condition with multiple head and chest injuries.
Travis Grafe was also treated in a hospital before being taken to prison. During an interview with investigators, Grafe allegedly admitted to beating his mother because she was his legal guardian and he did not want her to stay.
“I’m quite shocked, extremely shocked and upset,” a family friend said in a phone interview with Telemundo 51’s sister channel NBC 6 of Grafe’s mother. “She is an extremely sweet and wonderful person.”
The family friend told NBC 6 that as a teenager, Grafe suffered a traumatic brain injury.
“I really believe that if this had never happened, it wouldn’t have happened either,” the family friend said.
KNAUS BERRY FARM REOPENING
“Closed due to a family emergency,” was the notice the famous Knaus Berry Farmhouse in Homestead had posted on its door since Saturday morning.
This Monday, it is expected to open its doors after the traumatic situation experienced since Friday.
Knaus Berry Farm is a family business operated for generations since it opened in 1959.
It is famous for its traditional cinnamon rolls and is visited by locals from Florida and other parts of the country, also to pick strawberries and sample other desserts and drinks.