CHIPLEY, FL – A Florida man has been detained following a grim sequence of events that local authorities say culminated in the death of a 74-year-old woman and the kidnapping and assault of another. The suspect, identified as David Earl Gipson, 40, was apprehended by deputies in Washington County.

The situation began around 10 p.m. on Sunday, according to a press briefing by Sheriff Kevin Crews. Gipson is alleged to have knocked on the door of an elderly woman’s home, accusing her family of owing him money. When the victim opened the door, Gipson allegedly entered the residence uninvited and started collecting items inside.

Sheriff Crews detailed that Gipson proceeded to physically assault the woman who had answered the door before restraining her with handcuffs and undressing her. Gipson’s attack then reportedly turned to the second occupant of the home, Lettie Cooper Collins, 74, whom he is accused of brutally beating.

Authorities convey that the younger victim recalled seeing her mother-in-law’s face swollen and bloodied in the aftermath of the beating. Subsequently, Gipson is alleged to have abducted the woman, forcing her into Collins’ vehicle. He purportedly drove her to his home, where further trauma unfolded.

Once at his property, Gipson allegedly subjected the victim to sexual assault and issued death threats before confining her in a toolbox inside a shed on his premises, continuing to restrain her with handcuffs and duct tape. Sheriff Crews remarked that she was also naked during her captivity, with her legs tied in a manner likened to “hog-tie.”

The victim reportedly spent much of Monday confined in oppressive conditions until she managed to escape, leveraging her confined position to pry open the toolbox. Upon freeing herself, she ran to a nearby road, despite still being handcuffed. There, she was discovered by a passing driver who rendered aid.

Authorities were alerted and arrived around 5:20 p.m. on Monday. Once briefed on the weekend’s horrors, deputies returned to the scene, where they discovered Collins fatally injured.

Sheriff Crews stated that the deceased woman suffered severe physical trauma. Official determinations on the cause and manner of death will be provided by the medical examiner’s office. Gipson was detained the following day and is facing charges that include kidnapping, sexual assault, and battery. He is held at the Washington County Jail without bond pending further charges related to Collins’ death, with a court appearance slated for June 2.