Tourist tries to drown daughter-in-law in pool: Cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Mark Gibbon (Polk County Jail). Background: Solterra Resorts in Davenport, Florida, where Gibbon is accused of attempting to drown his daughter-in-law (Google Maps).

While vacationing in Florida, a tourist purportedly attempted to drown his daughter-in-law during a dispute concerning his will, and was only thwarted when his granddaughter and nearby residents alerted 911.

This incident unfolded on Sunday in Davenport, located not far from Walt Disney World and other attractions, as reported by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in a press release. Officers arrived at the Solterra Resort on Pine Tree Trail around 5:19 p.m. following reports of a disturbance in a backyard swimming pool.

The victim, along with other witnesses, reported that 62-year-old Mark Raymond Gibbon from Beaconsfield, England, approximately 25 miles west of London, repeatedly submerged the 33-year-old woman during their altercation. The family was on holiday together when Gibbon and his daughter-in-law clashed over the “stipulations of his will,” according to an arrest affidavit.

According to the complaint, Gibbon supposedly “pushed her under the water and held her down multiple times.” Despite her attempts to escape, he continued to shove her underwater.

“She stated that she was unable to breathe and feared for her life,” deputies noted. “[The victim] indicated that she had to struggle against Mark to break free from him and the water, but he persisted in pushing her under.”

It was at this point that the victim’s 9-year-old daughter saw what was happening and “jumped into the pool” to her mother’s defense, according to cops. The girl tried to get him to stop but Gibbon allegedly pushed her away.

The victim saw some neighbors and yelled at them to call 911. Gibbon allegedly stopped when the neighbors said they were calling the sheriff’s office.

Deputies arrived on scene and took Gibbon into custody. After receiving his Miranda warnings, he allegedly admitted to pushing his daughter-in-law underwater but said he did not intend to drown her. He claimed they were drinking when they got to talking about the will and she slapped him, which is what he said set off the skirmish.

The daughter-in-law reportedly suffered a couple of scratches.

Gibbon was arrested on charges of attempted second-degree murder and battery. He remains in the Polk County Jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 9.

“It’s great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our lifelong residents to do the same. Because Mr. Gibbon couldn’t control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Traveling Horse Veterinarian Accused of Sexual Battery on Teen Girl and Threatening Her Mother to Halt Investigation

A traveling horse veterinarian was arrested Wednesday in Florida and charged with…

Judge Rules Mike Lindell Defamed Smartmatic, Says MyPillow Founder

Mike Lindell gives a thumbs up as he passes by a rally…

Texas Man Sentenced for Stabbing Teen Girl Before Christmas Parade

A Texas man who killed a teen cheerleader in 2023 will spend…

Florida Man Accused of Assaulting Girlfriend with a Baseball Bat

Jamie Michael Lane (Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation). A Florida man is now…

Get to Know Michael Nachmanoff: The Judge Overseeing James Comey’s Case

Left: Former FBI Director James Comey in Washington, Dec. 7, 2018 (AP…

Texas Man Executed for Killing Girlfriend’s 13-Month-Old in Alleged ‘Exorcism’

A Texas man has been executed for killing his girlfriend’s 13-month-old daughter…

Mother and Partner Face Charges After Severely Malnourished 9-Year-Old Weighing 30 Pounds Found

An Ohio woman and her boyfriend have been charged with child abuse…

Army Sergeant Sentenced to Life for Rape Dies in Prison Cell

An Army sergeant, who had been convicted of over two dozen serious…

Landscaper Arrested for Allegedly Stabbing Girlfriend to Death

A New York state man wanted for the stabbing death of his…

Husband Stabs Expectant Wife 34 Times, Then Contacts Police: Authorities

Context: A neighborhood in St. Cloud, Minn. where Falus Ali was discovered…

College Cheerleader Faces Court Appearance as Baby Death Case Proceeds to Grand Jury

A Kentucky woman charged with concealing her newborn baby’s death appeared in…

Man with Multiple Oklahoma Warrants Arrested; Faces New Drug and Firearm Charges

Staff report ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – A 26-year-old man named Samuel Joseph…