A Relationship Gone Wrong: South Miami Domestic Dispute Turns Violent
In a troubling incident that highlights the dangerous escalation of domestic disputes, a 49-year-old South Miami woman, Liz Frechel, was arrested after allegedly attacking her boyfriend with a machete during a violent confrontation at her home. The situation began innocently enough with a dinner date at Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Fontainebleau on November 20, but quickly spiraled into a heated argument when the boyfriend confronted Frechel about a photo appearing to show her being intimate with another man. Following this confrontation, the boyfriend left Frechel at the restaurant, unknowingly setting the stage for a much more dangerous encounter the next day.
What started as a seemingly considerate gesture—returning Frechel’s medication, glasses, and a mug to her home near Southwest 72nd Street and 62nd Avenue in Miami—turned into a nightmare for the victim. According to police reports, when the boyfriend arrived at Frechel’s residence on November 21, she became immediately hostile. The situation escalated dramatically when Frechel allegedly locked him in her bedroom against his will, menacingly telling him, “You are not going anywhere, you son of a b—-. You’re going to pay.” In a terrifying turn of events, she then retrieved a machete from her closet, transforming what might have been a heated breakup into a potentially deadly confrontation.
As the trapped boyfriend attempted to escape with his keys, Frechel reportedly swung the machete at him, causing a deep laceration to his right elbow. During the attack, she allegedly shouted death threats, screaming, “I’m going to kill you, you son of a b—-.” Despite his injury, the man managed to flee the apartment and drive himself to South Miami Hospital’s Emergency Department, where medical staff treated his wound and where police first learned of the incident. The hospital visit initiated the investigation that would lead to Frechel’s arrest later that evening.
Police moved quickly to apprehend Frechel, arriving at her home shortly after 7:15 p.m. on the same day. By midnight, she was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center facing serious charges that reflected the severity of her alleged actions. The charges included aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, attempted murder with a deadly weapon, and false imprisonment with a deadly weapon—crimes that could result in significant prison time if Frechel is convicted. The case represents a stark example of how relationship conflicts can sometimes escalate to dangerous levels of violence, particularly when weapons are involved.
The legal system responded with appropriate gravity to the allegations. During her bond court appearance on November 22, a Miami-Dade judge ordered Frechel to have no contact with the victim—a standard protective measure in domestic violence cases. The court took the unusual step of denying bond entirely on the attempted murder charge, while setting a combined $15,000 bond for the aggravated battery and false imprisonment counts. This decision underscores the seriousness with which the judicial system viewed the threat Frechel potentially posed, particularly given the premeditated nature of the attack as described in police reports.
This disturbing case serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly domestic situations can turn violent and the importance of recognizing warning signs in relationships. While jealousy and arguments are common in many relationships, the progression to physical violence—especially with weapons—represents a dangerous line that, once crossed, often leads to serious legal consequences and lasting trauma for all involved. For the victim, what began as an attempt to return personal items to an ex-partner nearly ended in tragedy, highlighting the unpredictable nature of domestic conflicts and the vital importance of safety planning when relationships become volatile. As the case proceeds through the legal system, it will likely bring further attention to the broader issues of domestic violence and the resources available for both prevention and victim support.
