MDPD: Woman in critical condition after son brutally beats her with ‘blunt object’

Sources told Local 10 News that the mother was identified as Rachel Knaus Grafe, owner of Knaus Berry Farm

Knaus Berry Farm owners allegedly brutally attacked by their son

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman is in critical condition after being brutally attacked by her son with a blunt object, according to Miami-Dade police.

According to Detective Chris Thomas, a Miami-Dade police spokesperson, the incident occurred around 6 p.m. Friday at the family’s home near the 15700 block of Southwest 248th Street in Homestead.

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Thomas said upon arrival, officers found an injured husband and wife who reported being attacked with a blunt object at the residence by their son.

The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Travis Ray Grafe.

MDPD: Woman in critical condition after son brutally beats her with ‘blunt object’

According to Thomas, the son fled the scene but was taken into custody nearby the residence shortly after police arrived.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and transported the couple to a nearby hospital.

Authorities said the mother was airlifted and listed in critical condition.

According to his arrest records, Grafe was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center around 11:20 p.m. Friday night.

He is facing one count of premeditated attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery and attempted strongarm robbery.

Sources told Local 10 News that Rachel Knaus Grafe, owner of the world-famous Knaus Berry Farm, was the woman involved in the attack.

The victims have not been identified by police.

A family friend who did not want to be identified told Local 10 News the victims are loved in their community and are devastated over what happened.

“Extremely surprised,” the friend said. “It was very upsetting. His parents are wonderful people.”

Knaus Berry Farm posted on Instagram that they were closed for business “due to a family emergency.”

According to his arrest records, Travis Grafe was previously arrested in 2013 for arson in Miami-Dade County.

Court records obtained by Local 10 News from 2015 show Grafe’s mother sought guardianship of of her son, citing he was “totally incapacitated” due to a traumatic brain injury.

The judge in the case agreed that Grafe was in fact incapacitated and placed him in his mother’s care.


About the Authors:

Bridgette Matter joined the Local 10 News team as a reporter in July 2021. Before moving to South Florida, she began her career in South Bend, Indiana and spent six years in Jacksonville as a reporter and weekend anchor.

Ryan Mackey is a Digital Journalist at WPLG. He was born in Long Island, New York, and has lived in Sunrise, Florida since 1994.