UPDATE: A shocking incident unfolded in Florida as a British man was arrested for allegedly attempting to drown his daughter-in-law during a heated argument. Mark Raymond Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield, England, now faces serious charges including attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at a vacation home located in the Solterra Resort in Davenport, Florida. Gibbon reportedly engaged in a fierce argument with his 33-year-old daughter-in-law in the private swimming pool, where he allegedly attempted to drown her. Eyewitness accounts reveal that the woman was pushed and held underwater multiple times, prompting her 9-year-old daughter to jump in to intervene.
Neighbors nearby alerted authorities after witnessing the disturbance, leading deputies to respond swiftly to the scene. Gibbon ceased his actions only after two sisters vacationing at a neighboring property indicated they had contacted the sheriff’s office.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed his dismay over the incident, stating, “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.” He added that Gibbon may be spending “a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated” due to his violent behavior.
Currently, Gibbon is being held at the South County Jail in Polk County without bond. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as investigations continue. This alarming incident raises questions about visitor behavior and safety in vacation hotspots.
Stay tuned for further developments as this story unfolds.
