A British man vacationing in Florida has been arrested and charged with attempted murder after authorities say he tried to drown his daughter-in-law during a heated argument at a resort swimming pool. The incident, which unfolded in front of his 9-year-old granddaughter, has shocked local officials and highlighted the dangers of escalating family disputes.

Mark Raymond Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, England, was taken into custody on August 3 at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, Florida. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the altercation began as a verbal disagreement between Gibbon and his 33-year-old daughter-in-law, Jasmine Wyld, over matters related to his grandchildren. The argument reportedly escalated while the two were in the pool of their rented vacation home.

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Witness statements and police reports detail a harrowing scene: Gibbon allegedly pushed Wyld’s head underwater multiple times, holding her down and preventing her from breathing. Wyld struggled to break free, sustaining minor scratches in the process. In a desperate attempt to intervene, Gibbon’s 9-year-old granddaughter jumped into the pool and tried to pull her grandfather away from her mother.

The situation was only halted when two sisters from Ohio, vacationing in a neighboring property, heard the commotion and screams. They alerted authorities, prompting a swift response from Polk County deputies who arrived at the scene around 5:19 p.m. Gibbon was arrested on the spot and charged with second-degree attempted murder and two counts of battery.

Extended family members said they believe Mark Gibbon (right) has been having an affair with Jasmine Wyld (left), his former daughter-in-law for the last two years - causing a huge family divide

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the incident in a statement, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges. “We welcome tourists from all over the world to Polk County, but we expect them to behave themselves,” Judd said. “Because Mr. Gibbon couldn’t control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated.”

Gibbon, a lighting technician who owns MRG Lighting and has worked on projects for high-profile artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and Paloma Faith, admitted to pushing his daughter-in-law underwater but denied any intent to kill her. He claimed the family had been drinking alcohol prior to the argument, which may have contributed to the escalation. Some reports suggest the dispute also involved discussions about inheritance or will terms.

Wyld told investigators she feared for her life during the attack and managed to escape only after fighting back. She was treated for minor injuries but did not require hospitalization.

Gibbon is currently being held without bond at the Polk County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 9, 2025. Authorities have not released further details about the ongoing investigation, but the case has drawn international attention, with coverage from UK outlets highlighting the family’s vacation turning into a nightmare.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly domestic disputes can turn violent, even in idyllic vacation settings. Family members involved have not issued public statements, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with additional information to come forward.