Cancer-surviving grandmother dies days after felon allegedly attacks her at apartment complex

Susan Gehrke, a 61-year-old Tucson grandmother who had survived cancer twice, died four days after she was attacked outside her apartment complex, Tucson police said.

Officers and firefighters responded around 10 p.m. July 24 to a reported fight at the complex near 1201 N. Alvernon Way. Gehrke and a man were found injured. Police said both had been on an apartment patio when Dahseir Edward Jefferson allegedly approached, became confrontational and assaulted them. Gehrke was hospitalized in critical condition, and the other victim suffered serious injuries.

Police arrested Jefferson, 27, on July 28 near Speedway Boulevard and Country Club Road. He was first booked on two aggravated assault charges. After Gehrke died, the charges were amended to include second-degree murder. He is being held on a $650,000 bond.

State records show Jefferson previously served a five-year prison sentence for aggravated assault and was released in October 2024. He also has an earlier burglary conviction. Gehrke’s family said she worked throughout her life to support them and had been looking forward to retirement. Tucson police homicide and robbery assault detectives continue investigating.