
British tourist ‘tried to drown daughter-in-law in Florida pool'
Mark Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, was on a family holiday at Solterra Resort in Davenport, near Disney World, Florida, when the pair began arguing about 'the stipulations of his will', US police said.
He was charged with attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery.
Mr Gibbon allegedly pushed the 33-year-old 'under the water and held her down multiple times', according to a probable cause arrest affidavit.
His nine-year-old granddaughter 'jumped into the pool' to try and save her mother but Mr Gibbon allegedly pushed her away.
'She advised that she could not breathe and believed that she was going to drown,' officials wrote.
'[The victim] advised that she had to fight Mark in order to get away from him and from under the water, but he kept pushing her back under.'
The victim called for neighbours and shouted for them to call the police. He is said to have only stopped when neighbours said they were calling the authorities.
Mr Gibbon is a lighting technician, who runs his own firm called MRG Lighting.
He has worked on music videos for Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Paloma Faith, according to his website, as well as on film and TV sets.
US police said Mr Gibbon allegedly admitted to pushing his daughter-in-law underwater, but said he did not intend to drown her.
The victim reportedly suffered a couple of scratches.
He claimed they had been drinking before they began discussing the will.
He alleged his daughter-in-law had slapped him, which sparked the fallout.
The suspect was taken into custody on Aug 3 at 5.19pm.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: '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.'
Mr Gibbon is being held at Polk County Jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Sept 9.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
3 minutes ago
- BBC News
Downpatrick murder inquiry may be linked to 'brutal' attack on priest
A 30-year-old man is still being held on suspicion of murder after a man's death in Downpatrick, that police said might be linked to a "brutal" attack on a priest in a church in the went to a house in Marian Park at about 12:00 BST on Sunday after a report that a body had been found. Police suspect the case might be connected to an attack on a priest, Fr John Murray, in St Patrick's Church in the County Down was hit on the head with a bottle while preparing to celebrate his last Mass before his retirement. Police said he remained in a serious condition in a Belfast hospital. Police said a man walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue at 10:10 BST on Sunday and hit the priest before Ch Insp McBurney said it "was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury".The priest was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in of people attended a vigil in Downpatrick's St Brigid's Church on Sunday evening. Fr Martin Graham, who took the service, said it was about being with the parishioners and praying with them, for Fr Murray and also "for the other poor man who lost his life".He said Fr Murray had given the last 11 years of life to the parish and was due to retire on Thursday."He is so well thought of by the people here," he said. "It is just heartbreaking for them in what was supposed to be a poignant farewell this morning that it turned into something which was just grotesque." Supt Norman Haslett said enquiries were at an early stage and at this time, they suspect the Marian Park incident "may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday".Speaking about the death in Marian Park, SDLP councillor Conor Galbraith said a family were now in mourning."It is really sad that this has resulted in two daughters left behind, grandchildren left behind," he added."And for what, we just don't know why."


Daily Mail
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Hamptons hotspot where fashion designer died on yacht has become plagued with 'spoiled' rich kids following influencer-fueled tourism
The once quiet and classy Hamptons hotspot where a designer was found dead on a yacht has become packed with party-going 'spoiled' rich kids who have invited chaos to the area, locals say. Long time residents of Montauk - at the easternmost tip of Long Island - believe the death of 33-year-old Martha Nolan-O'Slattara exemplifies the area's out-of-control party culture. The coastal community used to be close-knit and peaceful - until social influencers flung it into the spotlight. 'It's absolutely changed,' a marina operator who has lived in Montauk his entire life, told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital. 'Social media put Montauk on the map. It used to be a fishing village… now it's a very happening place.' With its stunning shores, charming feel and luxurious dining options, Montauk has become an influencer magnet. But Montauk getting plastered across the internet has had serious consequences and residents are concerned about the community's future. People have noticed a drastic change to the once small town, with massive luxury development projects and hotel and dock revamps to accommodate demanding short-term visitors. 'This is mostly a peaceful, family-friendly spot,' an anonymous local told Fox News Digital. 'But in the summer, there's a younger crowd that comes in and they party hard. You see the yachts, the nightlife - it's become a kind of escape valve for New York's elite.' One lifelong resident said the area has become full of 'spoiled kids using their parents' credit cards' who love drugs and partying. Community members were forced to consider the rapidly changing nature of their beloved home after Nolan-O'Slattara was found dead on a boat at the Montauk Yacht Club last week. The young Irish fashion designer, who flaunted a glamorous life on social media, was known to visit Montauk frequently. Investigators quickly established that there was no foul play involved in her untimely death. A police spokesperson said a preliminary examination of Nolan-O'Slattara's remains was 'inconclusive' and that a cause of death is 'pending further examination.' Daily Mail asked Suffolk County Police if the death was drug-related, but they refused to comment. The yacht scene is particularly attractive among young elites, residents told Fox News Digital. One woman described a popular route between Newport, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket lively boats filled with partying youngsters tend to follow. Between yacht parties and a bumping bar scene, people have complained of loud music blaring all through the night, well into the early morning hours. Michael Brown, a former DEA senior special agent, said the combination of a bustling nightlife scene and rich kids is a recipe for disaster. 'Young adults are going to do drugs,' Brown bluntly told Fox News Digital. Young partiers with money are a prime consumer base for drug dealers, who may become inclined to encroach on the community as influencer-inspired tourists take over. Dealers have been increasingly lacing drugs with fentanyl, and overdose deaths have skyrocketed, Brown, who is also the global director of counter-narcotics technology at Rigaku Analytical Devices, said. 'You don't know what's in what you're taking. And if I'm wrong, I'm gonna die in 30 seconds.' Each year, more than 100,000 people across the US die from drug overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 'Local dealers spike cocaine with small amounts of fentanyl - not necessarily enough to kill, but to intensify the high and hook new users,' he explained to the outlet. 'We're talking about individuals who are very well-off, especially young individuals - they have the money to spend.'


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Chelmsford landfill murder suspect still on the run, say police
A man wanted in connection with the death of another man - whose body was discovered in a landfill site - is still on the run, police have told the body of Cumali Turhan was discovered in an Essex landfill site in January, almost two months after he was last seen Police said it was still trying to locate Ceyhan Dinler, 38, from Chelmsford, who left the UK via Stansted Airport on 19 November, the same day as Mr Turhan's man - Ciprian Ilie, 44, of no fixed address - has denied assisting an offender and preventing lawful and decent burial of a body, and is due to stand trial in September. 'Complex' Essex Police told the BBC that its inquiries "in relation to locating the second suspect in connection with the death of Cumali Turhan are ongoing"."This is a complex and detailed investigation, and we are working closely with our colleagues from the Crown Prosecution Service," said a spokesperson."We are also liaising with partners and the appropriate authorities." Mr Turhan, 46, was reported missing after failing to arrive at work having been last seen in The Globe pub in Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, in the early hours of 19 said he may have later been in Barista, a bar and restaurant in Duke Street, although CCTV did not show him leave the previously said that significant evidence had been found in Duke Street, and detectives believed Mr Turhan's body had been disposed of in a body was later discovered at a landfill site after 45 days of searching. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.