After family members discovered a 62-year-old New York woman had been stabbed inside her Long Island home, investigators suspected her ex-boyfriend was behind the fatal attack, police said.
Rachel Frislid’s relative found her at her Sayville residence the evening of September 3, according to a Suffolk County Police Department news release.
During the investigation, detectives identified Frislid’s former boyfriend, Brandon Hampson, 55, as the suspect and learned he was no longer in New York, police said.
The investigation revealed Hampson traveled to Massachusetts, where he checked into the French King Restaurant and Motel in Erving, Massachusetts.
Detectives notified Massachusetts authorities, who encountered Hampson outside the motel on Wednesday, September 9, according to authorities.
He was ultimately shot and killed by law enforcement, police said.
Officers reportedly opened fire after they found Hampson allegedly wielding a knife.
They “gave multiple verbal commands for him to drop his weapon, but he did not comply and instead charged toward officers,” the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts said in a Thursday, September 10, news release.
Hampson was declared dead at a local hospital, according to the district attorney’s office, which is investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Frislid’s neighbors and coworkers told CBS News that she was a grandmother who planned on retiring in the near future and wanted to move closer to her daughter and grandchild in Tennessee.
Frislid owned Academy Tent Rentals in Bohemia, New York, her LinkedIn page shows.
She established the business with her late husband, Donald J. Frislid Jr., according to Greater Long Island. Donald died in November 2016, per his obituary.
Rachel and her husband were members of the Sayville Chamber of Commerce.
“She was our cherished friend, our partner and a part of our community family. For many years, she poured her heart and soul into the events that brought so much joy and happiness to the Sayville community,” the organization wrote of Rachel in a Sunday, September 6, Facebook post.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Rachel’s family, her children, her cherished grandchild, friends and everyone who loved her,” the post continued. “We pray they find peace, strength and comfort and feel the love surrounding them during this unimaginable time.”
“Rachel, you were deeply loved, and you will be missed more than our words can ever express. Your friendship and beautiful soul and the memories we will share about you will remain in our hearts forever,” the post added.
