EAGLE LAKE, Fla. (WOKI / WVLT) — A Knoxville man with a history of violent criminal offenses has been charged with first-degree murder after Florida investigators say he killed his mother inside her new home last month.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced that Gibson Nash, 21, of Knoxville, is accused of murdering his mother, Margaret Chu Dufour, 56, on July 21 at her residence in Eagle Lake, Florida.
Sheriff Grady Judd described the killing as an exceptionally violent crime.
“The way he murdered his mother was a mix of pure rage and extreme violence,” Judd said. “He has no respect for others and is a clear threat to society.”
Mother Recently Relocated from Knoxville
Investigators said Chu Dufour, a registered nurse, had recently moved from Knoxville to Florida after accepting a position on the surgery floor at Bartow Regional Hospital.
Family members told detectives she relocated in part to seek access to improved mental health resources for Nash, who reportedly struggled with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Despite previous domestic violence incidents involving her son, including an April case in Knoxville in which Nash allegedly threatened her with a knife, authorities said Chu Dufour returned to Tennessee on July 14 to bond Nash out of jail and bring him back to Florida.
Investigation Began After Crash
The case began during the early morning hours of July 21 when deputies responded to a series of crashes along U.S. 27.
According to investigators, witnesses reported that a blue BMW SUV was involved in two hit-and-run crashes before crossing the center line and colliding head-on with another vehicle.
Emergency crews found Nash unconscious and transported him to Lakeland Regional Hospital. Authorities said an apparent Tylenol overdose had caused liver failure.
While treating Nash, first responders observed blood on his hands and boots that investigators believed was inconsistent with injuries caused by the traffic crashes.
Victim Found Dead Inside Home
Deputies later went to Chu Dufour’s home to notify her about the crash involving her son but received no response.
After neighbors reported hearing loud “thuds” from the residence around 4:30 a.m., deputies located a key beneath a doormat and entered the home.
Investigators said they discovered Chu Dufour dead inside a front office room. The victim suffered severe blunt-force trauma and showed signs of strangulation.
Crime scene investigators later documented bruising on Nash’s knuckles and feet. Authorities also said DNA testing confirmed that blood found on Nash’s boots belonged to his mother.
Arrest Made After Hospitalization
Nash remained hospitalized for nearly two weeks while under sedation and intubation.
After being extubated and medically cleared on August 3, investigators arrested him on charges of:
- First-degree murder
- Leaving the scene of a crash involving injury
Officials said Nash will be booked into the Polk County Jail upon his formal discharge from the hospital.
The homicide investigation remains ongoing.
