Homestead - South Dade

Son now charged with murder in the attack on Knaus Berry Farm owners, records show

Customers of 20 years, Nora Pinger, right, and Dora Lopez, enjoy eating the famous homemade cinnamon rolls at Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead on Feb. 24, 2023. The business has been owned and operated by the Knaus family since 1956.
Customers of 20 years, Nora Pinger, right, and Dora Lopez, enjoy eating the famous homemade cinnamon rolls at Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead on Feb. 24, 2023. The business has been owned and operated by the Knaus family since 1956. pportal@miamiherald.com

The son of the co-owners of Knaus Berry Farm has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother — in addition to charges in the battering of his father, court records show.

Travis Grafe, 40, was originally charged with attempted premeditated murder and aggravated battery on a person 65 or older in the February 17 beating of his parents. That night police said Grafe beat his mother and father — Rachel and Herbert Grafe — with a flashlight over money disputes.

READ MORE: Knaus Berry Farm owner’s son thought he killed Mom, threatened to kill Dad, cops say

Last Sunday, Rachel Grafe died after a two-week hospital stay.

READ MORE: Knaus Berry Farm owner dies two weeks after son is accused of beating her inside home

Miami Herald news partner CBS Miami reported that while Travis Grafe is in custody, he wasn’t in court Friday morning, when the new charge was announced.

In addition to the new charges, Grafe was given a trial hearing date of May 8, court records show.

In this file photo from Jan. 7, 2008, Rachel Grafe sorts strawberries to package and sell to customers at Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead.
In this file photo from Jan. 7, 2008, Rachel Grafe sorts strawberries to package and sell to customers at Knaus Berry Farm in Homestead. Allison Diaz Miami Herald file

Knaus Berry Farm said on Instagram it would be closed on Saturday and Sunday, and reopen on Monday. Funeral services for Rachel Grafe are planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Homestead. The Redland landmark asked that instead of flowers, anyone can donate to the Brain Injury Association of America in the name of Rachel Knaus-Grafe at www.biausa.org.

Knaus Berry Farm is visited by thousands of people each season who crave cinnamon rolls, pies, herb breads and house-made jams.

READ MORE: What makes Knaus Berry Farm such a landmark? There’s a recipe in triumph and tragedy

This story was originally published March 10, 2023 at 4:48 PM.

Devoun Cetoute
Miami Herald
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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