Gibson Nash, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder in the alleged killing of his mother, Florida nurse Margaret Chu Dufour. Polk County deputies found Dufour dead inside her home on July 21 after Nash was involved in a series of traffic crashes while driving her vehicle. Authorities said Nash had previously been arrested twice in Tennessee for allegedly threatening to kill his mother. Dufour had moved to Florida and later returned to Tennessee to help him obtain treatment and bond him out of jail, according to investigators.
| Article Subheadings | |
|---|---|
| 1) | Traffic crashes led deputies to the home |
| 2) | Authorities describe a violent death |
| 3) | Earlier threats had resulted in arrests |
| 4) | Investigators linked Nash to the scene |
| 5) | Nash remains jailed without bond |
Traffic crashes led deputies to the home
Just before 7 a.m. on July 21, Nash allegedly drove Dufour’s blue BMW SUV into multiple traffic incidents in Polk County, Florida. Authorities said he fled the first crash and then struck other vehicles, causing additional property damage and injuring three people who were treated at a hospital. Deputies later found Nash unconscious behind the wheel and covered in blood. Because the vehicle was registered to Dufour, officers went to her home in Eagle Lake to check on her.
Dufour did not respond when deputies knocked. Investigators saw a broken glass plate near the patio door and a shovel beside the house. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said deputies entered with a key found on the front porch because the circumstances appeared suspicious.
Authorities describe a violent death
Deputies found Dufour on the floor inside the home. Sheriff Grady Judd said the medical examiner determined that she died from blunt-force injuries caused by a beating and from strangulation. Judd described the scene as among the most personally violent murders he had seen during his 54 years in law enforcement.
“The way he murdered his mother was a mix of pure rage and extreme violence,” Judd said.
Dufour, 56, had recently begun working as a nurse on the surgery floor at Bartow Regional Medical Center. The alleged killing occurred about a month after deputies had assisted her during a dispute with movers at her new home.
Earlier threats had resulted in arrests
In April, while mother and son were living in Knoxville, Tennessee, Nash was arrested twice for allegedly threatening Dufour. During one incident, Dufour called 911 after entering a smoke shop and locking the door behind her, leaving Nash outside in her vehicle. She reportedly told the dispatcher that he had attacked her the previous night and assaulted her that morning, and that she had agreed to take him to the shop to calm him.
Nash was accused of threatening to kill her with a knife. Later that month, he allegedly pulled a knife again and made another death threat during an argument over his inability to play Xbox. Dufour subsequently moved to Florida, but returned to Tennessee to bond Nash out of jail. Authorities said her move was intended in part to help him receive mental health treatment. Relatives told investigators that Nash had been described as bipolar, schizophrenic and possibly autistic.
Investigators linked Nash to the scene
While Nash was hospitalized after the crashes, investigators tested blood on his clothing and said it matched Dufour’s blood. Authorities also reported significant bruising on his knuckles and feet, which they said was consistent with the alleged beating and kicking. Judd said Nash was also experiencing liver failure after an apparent Tylenol overdose.
Nash’s attorney, hired by his father, did not allow law enforcement to interview him. Judd said investigators nevertheless obtained information through alleged omissions made by Nash without a formal interview. The defense attorney’s identity was not immediately available.
Nash remains jailed without bond
Nash is being held without bond in a Polk County jail. In addition to the first-degree murder charge, he faces two third-degree felony counts for allegedly leaving the scene of crashes involving injuries. The allegations remain subject to court proceedings, and a conviction has not been established.
Judd said authorities believe Nash presents a continuing danger to the public and called for him to remain incarcerated. The case began with a roadside investigation but quickly expanded into a homicide inquiry involving a mother who had repeatedly sought help for her son despite earlier alleged threats.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nash faces a first-degree murder charge in his mother’s death. |
| 2 | Deputies found Dufour after responding to crashes involving her SUV. |
| 3 | Authorities said Nash had been arrested twice over earlier alleged death threats. |
| 4 | He remains held without bond and also faces two crash-related felony charges. |
Summary
The investigation alleges that Nash killed Dufour shortly before using her vehicle in a series of crashes. Authorities said evidence from his clothing and injuries supported the homicide case, while prior arrests documented earlier threats against his mother. Nash remains in custody as the criminal case proceeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been charged in the case?
Gibson Nash, 21, has been charged with first-degree murder and two third-degree felony counts related to leaving crash scenes involving injuries.
Where was Margaret Chu Dufour found?
Deputies found Dufour inside her home in Eagle Lake, in Polk County, Florida.
Why did deputies go to Dufour’s home?
They went to check on her after finding Nash unconscious and bloodied in her SUV, which was registered to Dufour, following multiple traffic crashes.
