Fund Set Up To Help Waukesha Woman Who Was Stabbed In Back

WAUKESHA, WI — The family and friends of the Waukesha woman who was stabbed in the back by her estranged husband have set up a fund to help she and her immediate family during her long road to recovery.

Multiple reports, including local authorities and media reported that Griselle Cruz was grilling out with her friends on Saturday night outside her house. Police say her estranged husband, 56-year-old Javier Cruz pulled up to the house in his pickup truck, chased her down and stabbed her in the back with a knife. Children were nearby and saw their mother suffering on the ground, police said.

According to the criminal complaint, Javier Cruz told investigators that he was upset that he had to pay $300 a month in child support, stating that he was "tired of it." Cruz is currently being held in the Milwaukee County Jail and faces attempted homicide charges.

Police said that when they arrived, they found her laying on the ground with a knife in her back and a blood-soaked towel wrapped around the knife - which was still in her back.

Currently the fundraising is through Waukesha State Bank. Donations and deposits can be made at any Waukesha State Bank by mentioning "The Cruz Benefit Fund". Donations can also be mailed to:

Waukesha State Bank
Attn: The Cruz Benefit Fund
PO BOX 648
Waukesha, WI 53187-0648

The funds will be used to help cover medical bills, rent, utilities and general living expenses while she is recovering and unable to work.

Family friend Angie Van Heesch said that Cruz is recovering, and has been making progress, though she will have a long road of healing ahead of her. It's unknown what possible physical limitations she may have from her injuries.

"I just am a person who is trying to help because our family personally knows the pain that trauma brings," she said.

Van Heesch said that the oldest two children are trying to just keep as "normal like" schedule as possible and are in classes. "It's important for them to have as normal routine as they can during this time," she told Patch.

Van Heesch said that neighbors have been supportive and helpful to the Cruz family following Saturday's attack. "Many of them were outside and witnessed the events," she said. "There were many children outside at the time of the attack, not just the victim's family. There are several people, children, that are processing these events."

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