A Florida man reportedly stabbed a 73-year-old woman over 50 times as she walked her dog in a deadly incident, then wrongly told investigators she was Jewish.
Officials charged Kersten Francilus, 25, with first-degree premeditated murder in the April 2 killing of Joyce Thompson Adams in Stuart, Florida, CBS12 reported, citing a probable cause affidavit. An autopsy revealed wounds so extensive the medical examiner could not tally them all, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said. Initial estimates from the arrest affidavit placed the count at roughly 16 to 17, ABC News reported.
Francilus allegedly confessed to the attack after his arrest. He told detectives he roamed the area and “found a lady and then I killed her,” according to the affidavit. Investigators said he called the woman Jewish when describing her, which authorities later determined was not the case, according to CBS 12. (RELATED: Homeless Repeat Offender Allegedly Slashes Teen’s Neck Days After Release)
“Nothing at this point indicates that he’s antisemitic at all, other than the statement that he made,” Budensiek claimed.
Before the alleged killing, multiple residents dialed 911 to report a man wandering between homes, KPTV reported, citing the affidavit. A woman said he asked about a bank that does not exist in the area and tried to enter her home. One caller alleged he was stabbing a female, according to CBS12.
SHOCKING NEW DETAILS | The suspect was seen stabbing the woman multiple times in the neck and back.
Read more: https://t.co/0dTuPxLQqf ⬅️👆 pic.twitter.com/spqlXvJpAi— WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) April 6, 2026
A deputy already responding to those calls arrived to find Francilus allegedly on top of Adams and still plunging a serrated kitchen knife into her neck and back, CBS12 reported. Body camera footage captured the victim motionless on the ground during the assault, investigators said. Francilus allegedly dropped the weapon and surrendered when the deputy ordered him to stop. Budensiek said a bystander had attempted to pull him off the victim but failed, ABC News reported.
His mother allegedly told detectives her son had stopped taking psychotropic medication in February and had been hiding knives above a microwave, according to CBS12. Budensiek told KPTV that Francilus had at least two prior encounters with law enforcement, including one connected to mental health. During a separate incident, his mother claimed he was hearing voices.
Adams’ daughter confirmed her mother had no ties to Judaism, though she acknowledged her appearance might have led someone to that assumption, CBS12 reported.
Neighbors remembered Adams by her nickname, Joy, according to KPTV. She and her dog Poppy were a familiar sight on daily walks through Southwood. “Joy brought joy,” one neighbor said.