The Michelin star chef of South Florida, who was charged with violent attacks on a woman last week, faces new charges after police said they left voicemail from prison to seek bond payments.
Jacob Bickelhaupt, 41, co-founder of West Palm Beach stove, was charged with two more counts of tampering with an eyewitness, a first-degree felony, and one count of domestic violence injunction with two more counts of tampering with an eyewitness, two or more previous convictions, and a third-degree felony, according to court records. He was previously arrested for aggravated battery charge, causing physical harm and disability and battery causing physical harm.
Police say Bickelhaupt is accused of punching and kicking a woman for more than two hours on June 2nd. Paramedics spotted her after suffering a seizure at the airport while trying to buy a ticket for a flight to Denver, Colorado. Her sister told the Saint Sentinel that she might have died if she got on the plane.
The chef is taken to the Palm Beach County Jail, where he remains in lieu of $90,000 bonds. The judge issued no contact orders for victims, GPS monitoring and weapons orders. He was declared poor and was given a public defense counsel.
On Friday, a woman sharing a business call with the victim contacted police and gave her two voicemail recordings that Bickelhaupt left for the victim. He had left Voicemail Wednesday afternoon, according to an affidavit two days after the attack.
“This is Jacob. If you haven’t given up on me, please call your official defense attorney,” the affidavit said, and the first message was followed by the official defender’s phone number. “I love you so much, I don’t know what to say, I don’t have much time. Again, I call the official defender and don’t want an order that you won’t get in touch… I have no place to stay and won’t fall asleep. I probably need your help. I’ll solve things.”
About 20 minutes later, according to the affidavit, Bickelhaupt left another message.
“Hey, this is Jacob again. “There’s a contract here. I know a lot is going on and you’re in really bad condition. You’re in really bad condition. If you do, I’m going to be here for a very long time, maybe a year, maybe a year… I have a way out for $1,500.00 on payment for $1,500.00. I’ll explain how to do that. ID and I’m not wearing shoes.
Want to break news in your inbox?
Subscribe to our free newsletter
You will receive real-time updates on major issues and events from Tampa Bay and beyond.
You’re all signed up!
Want more free weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Check out all options
According to the affidavit, Bickelhaupt’s appeal came not from prison but from a telephone number associated with another woman. The woman was arrested in Palm Beach County on charges of handling stolen property in late May. It is unclear how Bickelhaupt got the phone.
The victim’s condition was not available immediately Tuesday. The hospital does not provide information about victims of domestic violence. The voicemail left behind with the woman’s family was not immediately returned.
Bickelhaupt has a history of domestic violence. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to attacking his ex-wife and business partner in Chicago, leading to widespread public backlash across the city and the closure of his 42 gram restaurant, which has earned two Michelin stars. He later self-funded the documentary “86ed,” about his experiences of “cancellation” and “searching for his redempt,” according to the film’s description.
Bickelhaupt got a fresh start in South Florida, moving to West Palm Beach in 2022 and opening a Michelin-starred stove in April.
This is an developing story, so check for updates. Click here to send news alerts directly to your inbox.
