A 21-year-old Florida man has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly beating his mother to death in their home just a week after she posted bail for him. The suspect, Gibson Nash, is also accused of stealing his mother's vehicle and engaging in a hit-and-run spree following the alleged murder.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Nash suffered from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. His mother, Margaret Dufour, a 56-year-old registered nurse, had recently moved to Eagle Creek in what the sheriff described as a "last-ditch effort" to help her son access better mental health care. Dufour had traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 14 to bail Nash out of jail.
Authorities were alerted to the situation on the morning of the alleged murder when deputies responded to three separate hit-and-run crashes. During these incidents, Nash was reportedly driving his mother's 2022 BMW. He refused to stop for authorities and eventually collided with another vehicle after crossing the center line.
Nash was transported to a local hospital for treatment following the crashes. Medical personnel became suspicious when they observed blood on his hands and shoes, despite his injuries not appearing to cause such bleeding. Doctors also learned Nash had attempted to overdose on Tylenol and was experiencing liver failure.
Investigators later arrived at Dufour's home and discovered her deceased in her home office. Sheriff Judd characterized the murder as one of the most personally violent he had seen in a long time, stating that Nash allegedly strangled and "stomped her into a bloody puddle."
Further investigation revealed a history of conflict between mother and son. On April 6, Dufour had called 911 from a smoke shop bathroom, reporting that Nash had threatened her with a knife and assaulted her. Charges related to this incident were reportedly dropped in Knoxville. Despite these threats, Dufour continued to try and help her son.
"She was a wonderful lady. She was a great mother. She would not give up on him even after he threatened to kill her and pulled knives on her and hit her and attacked her," Judd said during a press conference.
DNA evidence later confirmed that the blood found on Nash matched Dufour. He was extubated on Monday after his liver condition improved and is currently in hospital custody, awaiting transfer to the Polk County Jail after his release.