Florida Man Charged with Murdering Mother After Release from Jail

A Florida man has been accused of killing his mother, shortly after she assisted in his release from jail and moved to Florida to help him receive mental health treatment. Gibson Nash, 21, faces charges for first-degree murder in connection to the death of his mother, Margaret Chu Dufour.

Authorities in Polk County discovered Dufour’s body at her home, marking a tragic end to a series of unsettling events. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, previously familiar with Dufour from an earlier incident involving a moving company dispute, responded to the grim scene on July 21.

“The movers tried to charge her extra,” shared Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd in a news conference, recalling a previous visit. “Our deputies helped her move without fanfare.”

In the early hours of July 21, Nash was linked to multiple traffic accidents while driving his mother’s blue BMW SUV. After an initial crash, Nash reportedly caused more accidents, damaging property and injuring three people. When deputies found him, he was unconscious, covered in blood, and behind the wheel of the vehicle, leading to confusion as the crash intensity did not match his condition.

During Nash’s hospitalization, while still unidentified, deputies visited Dufour’s residence. The lack of response and broken glass near her patio door prompted them to enter, leading to the grim discovery of her body. Sheriff Judd described the murder as “one of the most violent” seen in decades.

Nash had been arrested twice in April in Tennessee for threatening Dufour, his mother. She had called 911 after Nash reportedly attacked her, which later escalated to threats involving a knife over a trivial disagreement about playing Xbox.

Dufour relocated to Florida hoping to find better mental health treatment for Nash, who was reported by family to suffer from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and potentially autism. Despite these efforts, she returned to Tennessee to facilitate his release from jail. Blood on Nash’s clothing during the Florida hospital stay linked him to the murder.

The investigation uncovered severe bruising on Nash’s knuckles and feet consistent with a violent assault. Additionally, he experienced liver failure from a Tylenol overdose. Dufour had recently begun a nursing position at a medical center.

“Unfortunately, Nash made some admissions during the investigation,” said Sheriff Judd, hinting at his guilt despite the absence of a formal interview due to his attorney’s restriction.

Nash faces additional charges related to the traffic accidents. Sheriff’s statements emphasize the severity of his actions, highlighting his danger to society.