A family vacation in Florida took a disturbing and violent turn over the weekend when a 62-year-old British man was arrested for allegedly attempting to drown his daughter-in-law during a heated argument about family matters, authorities said.
Mark Raymond Gibbon, of Beaconsfield, England, was taken into custody by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday and charged with attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery. Deputies responded to a distress call at a vacation rental home in Davenport, Florida, where a domestic dispute had escalated into a terrifying act of violence.
According to investigators, Gibbon was involved in a verbal argument with his 33-year-old daughter-in-law while the two were in the backyard swimming pool of the rental property. The argument reportedly revolved around tensions related to the family’s grandchildren — though the exact details of the dispute have not been publicly disclosed.
At some point during the confrontation, witnesses say Gibbon allegedly lunged at the woman, forced her underwater, and attempted to hold her there, sparking panic among nearby family members.
“The situation quickly went from an argument to a life-threatening assault,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “This man was here on vacation with his family, and instead of enjoying that time together, he nearly killed a family member.”
The daughter-in-law reportedly struggled to escape, kicking and flailing while submerged. According to the arrest affidavit, other family members rushed to intervene and were able to pull Gibbon away from the victim before the situation became fatal.
Deputies arrived shortly after and took Gibbon into custody. He was later booked into the Polk County Jail, where he remains without bond. The victim sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Authorities say she was visibly shaken and emotionally distraught but is expected to recover physically.
The two battery charges stem from Gibbon allegedly pushing and striking two other family members during or after the pool incident.
Neighbors told local media they were shocked to hear about the violent altercation. “You just don’t expect something like that to happen in a quiet vacation community,” said one resident who witnessed the aftermath. “The police were here fast, and we could see people crying and yelling. It was chaotic.”
Sheriff Judd emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the department’s commitment to protecting victims of domestic violence, no matter the circumstances or the nationality of the suspect.
“This is a stark reminder that violence can erupt anywhere — even on a sunny day in Florida at a vacation home,” Judd said. “We are fortunate this situation didn’t end in a tragedy.”
Mark Gibbon, who reportedly has no prior criminal history in the United States, is now facing the possibility of significant prison time if convicted. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has been notified of the arrest, and British consular officials are believed to be in contact with Gibbon and his family.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be filed depending on the findings. Authorities are also working with family members to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected, particularly the children who were reportedly present at the time of the incident.
Gibbon is expected to make his first court appearance in the coming days. As of Tuesday, no attorney had been publicly listed on his behalf.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone with further information about the case to come forward.
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