**British Mother Allegedly Targeted in Attempted Drowning by Wealthy Father-in-Law at Florida Resort**
A shocking incident of alleged attempted murder has rocked the quiet community of Davenport, Florida, as 33-year-old British hairdresser Jasmine Wyld came forward with harrowing details of an attack by her wealthy 62-year-old father-in-law during what was supposed to be a luxurious family vacation near Disney World. The incident, which occurred at the upscale Solterra Resort, has resulted in serious criminal charges and raised questions about family dynamics, inheritance disputes, and the lengths to which some individuals might go to protect their assets.
Jasmine Wyld, originally from the United Kingdom, found herself fighting for her life in a resort swimming pool after a heated argument with Mark Gibbon, the father of her partner Alex Gibbon. According to detailed police reports, the confrontation escalated dramatically when Gibbon allegedly attempted to forcibly submerge Wyld underwater multiple times, leaving her with visible injuries including a scratch on her chest and significant psychological trauma.
The incident occurred on a seemingly ordinary Sunday at the resort, but quickly transformed into a life-threatening situation when family tensions boiled over into physical violence. Witnesses reported that the altercation began as a verbal dispute over the stipulations of Gibbon's will, a topic that apparently triggered an explosive reaction from the successful businessman.
**Family Background and Business Connections**
Mark Gibbon's prominence in the entertainment industry adds a particularly intriguing dimension to this case. As the sole director of MRG Lighting, a company that has provided lighting services for major film and television productions, Gibbon has worked with numerous A-list celebrities and high-profile entertainment projects. The company's portfolio includes work on music videos for internationally renowned artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, and Paloma Faith, establishing Gibbon as a respected figure within the entertainment industry's technical community.
The business connection runs deeper, as Gibbon previously worked alongside his son Alex at Ultralight, the family's original lighting firm based in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. However, Alex resigned as director in April 2023, shortly before the company was renamed MRG Lighting with Mark Gibbon becoming the sole director. This business restructuring may have contributed to the family tensions that ultimately erupted in violence.
Social media photos paint a picture of a happy family unit, with images showing Jasmine smiling alongside Alex and their two children. One particularly striking photograph shows her posing with celebrity chef James Martin, suggesting the family's integration into celebrity social circles. However, these images of domestic bliss starkly contrast with the terrifying ordeal that would later unfold in Florida.
**The Terrifying Attack**
According to detailed reports from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the attack began when Jasmine and her family were enjoying what should have been a relaxing poolside afternoon. The situation quickly deteriorated when Mark Gibbon allegedly became enraged during a discussion about his will, a document that would determine the financial future of his family members.
Witnesses reported that Gibbon's behavior became increasingly aggressive as the argument continued. The most dramatic moment came when Jasmine's nine-year-old daughter, demonstrating remarkable courage beyond her years, jumped into the pool in an attempt to save her mother after witnessing her grandfather's repeated attempts to force her underwater.
Deputies documented Jasmine's account of the terrifying incident: "She advised that she could not breathe and believed that she was going to drown. [The victim] advised that 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 assault reportedly continued until two neighboring sisters intervened by calling emergency services. These witnesses later provided crucial testimony to law enforcement, with one individual stating she had "observed [Gibbon] push [Wyld] under the water and hold her there multiple times," while also witnessing him "scratch Jasmine on her chest."
**Professional Background and Legal Troubles**
Mark Gibbon's professional portfolio extends beyond the entertainment industry lighting work that made him well-known. He is also listed as the sole director of Sage Hairdressing, indicating his diverse business interests and entrepreneurial spirit. This combination of entertainment industry connections and business acumen has likely contributed to his substantial wealth, making the inheritance dispute all the more significant.
Gibbon was taken into custody on August 3 at approximately 5:19 PM, where he allegedly admitted to pushing his daughter-in-law underwater but maintained that he had not intended to drown her. According to reports from Law and Crime, Gibbon claimed that alcohol consumption contributed to the argument, though this does not excuse the violent nature of his actions.
The suspect's arrest has sent shockwaves through both the local Florida community and the international entertainment circles where his company operates. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd addressed the incident publicly, stating: "It's great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, 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."
**Legal Proceedings and Charges**
The severity of the alleged assault is reflected in the serious charges filed against Gibbon. Court documents indicate that he faces two counts of battery and one count of attempted second-degree murder, charges that carry significant potential penalties if convicted. The attempted murder charge alone could result in life imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of the alleged crime.
Gibbon's next court appearance is scheduled for September 9, where he will likely enter a formal plea and the legal process will begin in earnest. The case has attracted considerable media attention due to the high-profile nature of the suspect's business connections and the dramatic circumstances of the alleged attack.
**Personal and Professional Implications**
The incident has had far-reaching consequences for all parties involved. For Jasmine Wyld, the trauma of nearly drowning in a resort swimming pool will likely have lasting psychological effects, particularly given that her own child witnessed the attack and bravely attempted to intervene. The dissolution of her hairdressing business, Jasmine Elizabeth Hair, in April 2024, may be connected to the stress and upheaval caused by these family conflicts.
The case also raises important questions about the pressures that can arise within wealthy families, particularly when significant assets and inheritance are at stake. The transition of the family business from Ultralight to MRG Lighting, combined with Alex Gibbon's resignation as director, suggests underlying tensions that may have contributed to the explosive confrontation in Florida.
**Community and Industry Response**
The entertainment industry community, which has worked with Mark Gibbon's lighting company on numerous high-profile projects, has expressed shock at the allegations. Many who have collaborated with MRG Lighting on film sets and music video productions are struggling to reconcile their professional relationships with the serious criminal charges facing the company's director.
Meanwhile, the Solterra Resort and the broader Davenport community are grappling with the realization that such a violent incident could occur in what is typically considered a safe, family-friendly vacation destination near one of the world's most popular tourist attractions.
**Looking Forward**
As the legal proceedings move forward, this case will likely serve as a stark reminder of how quickly family disagreements can escalate into life-threatening situations. The intersection of wealth, family dynamics, and business interests creates a complex web of relationships that, when strained, can have devastating consequences.
For Jasmine Wyld and her children, the focus will be on recovery and healing from this traumatic experience. The courage displayed by her nine-year-old daughter in attempting to save her mother's life demonstrates the profound impact that such incidents can have on entire families, extending far beyond the immediate victims.
The case also highlights the importance of intervention by bystanders, as the quick action of the neighboring sisters in calling emergency services likely prevented a tragedy from occurring. Their willingness to get involved and report what they witnessed may have saved a life and ensured that serious criminal charges were filed.
As September 9 approaches and Gibbon prepares for his next court appearance, the eyes of both the local community and the international entertainment industry will be watching closely to see how justice is served in this remarkable case of alleged attempted murder within a family context.
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