By Dayo Ade Olusola |Crime News| 7 August 2025
A British grandfather has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to drown his daughter-in-law during a family holiday at a resort near Disney World in Florida.
Mark Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was arrested at the Solterra Resort in Davenport following what police described as a violent altercation involving his daughter-in-law, Jasmine Wyld, aged 33.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said an argument erupted among family members over a will before Gibbon allegedly attacked Ms Wyld in the pool, attempting to push her under the water multiple times.
According to a police report, Ms Wyld’s nine-year-old daughter, who witnessed the incident, bravely jumped into the pool to try and rescue her mother but was shoved away by Gibbon.
In a chilling statement, detectives said the victim “believed she was going to drown” as she fought for her life, trying to break free from Gibbon’s grip while he repeatedly forced her beneath the surface.
“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 report stated.
Two bystanders, both women, reportedly told Gibbon that they had contacted police. That warning appeared to halt the assault, and Gibbon was taken into custody shortly afterward.
One witness told deputies she saw Gibbon force Ms Wyld beneath the water several times, describing how he “scratched her on her chest” during the attack, according to details published by People magazine.
Gibbon, who worked as a lighting technician, is said to have admitted to police that he had pushed his daughter-in-law but denied that he had any intention of drowning her.
Ms Wyld shares two children with Gibbon’s son, Alex. The family had been on a trip to central Florida when the alleged assault occurred.
The incident has shocked many, not least Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who issued a strong rebuke. “It’s great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world,” he said.
“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.”
Gibbon remains in custody pending a court appearance. Authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
