62-year-old man held his son’s 33-year-old ex-wife with whom he had been involved in romantic relationship for 2 years underwater in a pool following an argument over his will; arrested
Florida – In a shocking case in Florida that has left both law enforcement and witnesses stunned, a 62-year-old tourist, identified as M. Gibbon, is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery after a violent confrontation with his son’s 33-year-old ex-wife, identified as J. Wyld, turned into a fight for survival.
Gibbon was arrested last week after deputies received reports of an attack at a private pool. According to the sheriff’s office, the dispute began over the “stipulations of his will” before spiraling into a sustained assault. According to reports, Wyld had previously been married to Gibbon’s son but had been in a romantic relationship with her former father-in-law for the past two years. Investigators say this complicated history added to the tension that ignited the altercation.
Witnesses told deputies that the family had been swimming when the verbal argument intensified. What began as sharp words quickly escalated into violence. Gibbon allegedly pushed Wyld underwater in the pool, holding her there repeatedly, forcing her to struggle for breath. Each time she managed to surface, he pushed her down again. Wyld later told investigators she believed she was going to drown. The situation turned more desperate when her 9-year-old daughter, realizing her mother was in danger, jumped into the pool to intervene. The girl tried to pull her grandfather away, but deputies say Gibbon pushed her aside and continued holding Wyld underwater.
The attack came to a halt only when two women vacationing next door shouted that they had contacted the police. Wyld managed to call to them for help before deputies arrived. Deputies reached the scene at around 5:19 p.m., quickly taking Gibbon into custody. After receiving his Miranda rights, he admitted to pushing Wyld into the water but denied trying to kill her. He claimed both had been drinking and that she had slapped him, sparking his loss of control.
Officers noted that Wyld had a scratch across her chest, while Gibbon bore no visible injuries. Witness statements, along with the account of the child who tried to stop the attack, formed the backbone of the case against him. Sheriff G. Judd condemned the act, warning that while they welcome tourists from across the world, visitors are expected to follow the same standards of conduct as residents. Because of Gibbon’s inability to control his anger, Judd remarked, the man may find himself in Florida far longer than he intended.
Gibbon remains in the county jail without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 9. If convicted, he faces the possibility of a lengthy prison term — the final chapter in a confrontation shaped by deep family fractures, an illicit relationship, and a moment of violence that left a child trying to save her mother from drowning.
