In St. Petersburg, Florida, a tragic incident unfolded late Thursday night, leaving a community shaken. Police responded to a distress call just before midnight at an apartment on the 1900 block of 54th Terrace South. Inside, they discovered 53-year-old Barbara Pullaro, who had been fatally stabbed multiple times.
What makes this story even more heartbreaking is that authorities believe her son, 24-year-old Rafal Gajowczyk, is responsible for her death. Rafal was found in the apartment with injuries to his hands, which police say are linked to the attack.
After being taken into custody, Rafal was transported to the hospital for treatment. Once he is medically cleared, police plan to formally charge him with second-degree murder. They also noted that he has a history of mental health struggles, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
This tragic event has left neighbors and the St. Petersburg community in shock, as they process the devastating loss of a life and the painful circumstances surrounding it.