Naked and Hogtied: Florida Woman Breaks Free From Captivity

It started with a woman running for her life, handcuffed, naked, and bleeding — an image so harrowing it stopped a stranger in their tracks on a quiet Florida road. What she'd just escaped was the stuff of nightmares.

The Attack

On April 27, 2025, in Washington County, Florida, 40-year-old David Earl Gipson allegedly entered a home where he confronted a woman he knew. He accused her husband and brother-in-law of stealing from him and demanded repayment. Then, according to police, he began removing property before attacking both the woman and her 74-year-old mother-in-law, Lettie Cooper Collins.

Gipson allegedly handcuffed the initial victim, stripped her of her clothes, and, as she lay helpless, brutally beat Collins. According to the New York Post, her injuries were so severe that authorities later said she was beaten "to a pulp."

Gipson then allegedly dragged the initial victim outside, duct-taped her mouth, threatened her with a gun, and sexually assaulted her.

Held in a Storage Container

After forcing the woman into her mother-in-law's vehicle, Gipson allegedly drove her to his home, where he reportedly continued the abuse before placing her inside a large container in his yard. Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews described the container as a makeshift, suffocating "oversized toolbox," according to KLTV.

The woman told authorities she was hogtied, a rope placed around her neck, and her legs folded underneath her. Still handcuffed and gagged, she believed she was going to die there.

The Daring Escape

Sometime during the night, while still handcuffed, the woman managed to free her legs and kick her way out through plywood and debris. She used a tree to scrape off the duct tape and made it to Douglas Ferry Road, where a passerby spotted her and called 911.

When law enforcement arrived and found her, she was injured and exposed ... but alive.

Discovery and Arrest

When deputies searched the woman's residence, they discovered Collins' body inside. Authorities reportedly believe she died during the initial attack the night before. Sheriff Crews confirmed that the investigation was ongoing, but said the details shared by the victim matched the timeline of events law enforcement pieced together.

Gipson was found the next day hiding in a wooded area nearby. The sheriff credited an around-the-clock manhunt for his capture.

A Long History of Crime

Gipson is no stranger to law enforcement. He has a rap sheet that includes 33 felony charges dating back to 1999, and he has served prison time eight separate times.

Charges now filed against him include murder, sexual assault, aggravated battery, and false imprisonment. He is currently being held without bond, and it remains unclear whether he has legal representation.

A Community Left Reeling

The sheriff extended condolences to the victim's family and expressed hope for a successful prosecution. According to PEOPLE, he said, "First of all, on behalf of the Washington County Sheriff's Office we are all so sorry that this horrific event has happened to this family. May all our prayers be with this family at this time as we continue to work through this investigation for a successful prosecution."

This case serves as a grim reminder that even familiar faces can mask dangerous intent. For the woman who survived, her story isn't just one of trauma — it's one of remarkable strength in the face of terror.

References: Woman Escapes Storage Container Where She Was Held by Man Who Fatally Beat Her Mother-in-Law | Woman Escapes After Brutal Attack, Deputies Say | Florida Woman Escapes Storage Container After Brutal Assault