EAGLE LAKE, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff's Office has charged a 21-year-old man with First-Degree Murder in connection with the brutal death of his mother inside her Eagle Lake home last month.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Gibson Nash, 21, has been charged with First-Degree Murder (Felony Capital) in the July 21, 2026, killing of his mother, Margaret Chu Dufour, 56. Her name is being released with the permission of her family.
Nash also faces two counts of Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Injury, both third-degree felonies.
"Gibson Nash needs to remain locked away from the public forever. The way he murdered his mother was a mix of pure rage and extreme violence. After killing her, he caused two vehicle crashes on a busy road. He has no respect for others and is a clear threat to society," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
Investigation Began with Multi-Vehicle Crashes
The investigation began around 6:58 a.m. on July 21, when deputies responded to a hit-and-run crash along U.S. Highway 27 and Holly Hill Grove Road.
Investigators say a blue 2022 BMW SUV fled the initial crash before striking a second vehicle. The BMW then crossed into the southbound lanes of U.S. 27 and collided with a third vehicle that was towing a trailer, disabling the SUV. A fourth vehicle subsequently crashed into the trailer.
Authorities identified Nash as the driver of the BMW. He suffered injuries in the crashes and was transported to a local hospital, where he was sedated and intubated. At the time, investigators had not yet confirmed his identity.
Nine other people were involved in the chain-reaction crashes, with three transported to local hospitals suffering minor injuries.
| Nash caused three crashes as he drove his mother's BMW SUV north on US 27 near Davenport |
Deputies Discover Victim Inside Eagle Lake Home
As deputies investigated the crashes, they learned the BMW was registered to Margaret Chu Dufour. A deputy went to her residence on Wilder Way in Eagle Lake to check on her welfare.
After receiving no response, deputies spoke with neighbors. One neighbor reported hearing two loud "thuds" coming from the home around 4:30 a.m.
Deputies walking around the property observed broken glass from a plate near a rear sliding patio door, along with a shovel beside the home. Due to the suspicious circumstances, deputies entered the residence and discovered Chu Dufour deceased in a front room with severe blunt-force trauma to her face.
Polk County Sheriff's Office homicide detectives responded and launched a homicide investigation.
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| Margaret Chu Dufour of Eagle Lake, the mother of Gibson Nash and the victim of the murder committed by Nash. |
Evidence Linked Nash to the Murder
Detectives quickly identified Nash as a suspect.
According to investigators, family members described Nash as having a lengthy history of violence and mental illness, reportedly including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Relatives told detectives he had been arrested multiple times for domestic violence in Tennessee, including an incident in which he allegedly charged at his mother with a knife.
Investigators said Chu Dufour had traveled to Tennessee on July 14 to pick up Nash after he bonded out of jail and brought him back to Eagle Lake to live with her.
During the investigation, detectives documented bruising on Nash's knuckles and feet while he remained hospitalized. Blood recovered from his boots was later confirmed through testing to belong to his mother, investigators said.
Medical staff also told detectives Nash had suffered liver damage after reportedly ingesting a large quantity of Tylenol before the crashes. He remained sedated and intubated while receiving treatment.
Arrest Made After Medical Improvement
On August 3, Nash was removed from sedation and extubated after his liver condition improved. Investigators then arrested him on the murder charge.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Nash remains under sheriff's office custody at the hospital. Once medically cleared, he will be transported and booked into the Polk County Jail.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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