Florida Man Allegedly Tries to Drown Fiancée in Motel Pool

A Florida man is facing attempted homicide charges after allegedly trying to drown his fiancée in a motel pool while pretending she was attempting to harm herself. Authorities say Drew Williams, 45, of Ormond Beach, carried out the assault at the Capri Motel in Lake Worth Beach on Saturday evening. He has since been released on bond but has been ordered to stay away from the victim.

The Alleged Attack

According to a probable cause affidavit, police were called to the scene around 5 p.m. after reports of a possible drowning. When officers arrived, they found Williams near the pool. He denied knowing what had happened and claimed he had “pulled someone out of the pool.” However, his fiancée was located elsewhere on the property, soaked, panicked, and pointing at Williams while motioning as if she had been held underwater.

Despite his insistence that he had rescued her, a witness told police they saw Williams forcefully push the woman underwater multiple times for about five minutes. During the attack, Williams allegedly remained silent, only later yelling that she was “trying to drown herself.”

Victim’s Account

The victim, who suffers from early-stage Parkinson’s disease, told paramedics and police that the couple had been arguing before Williams pulled her into the middle of the pool and shoved her under with both hands pressed against her back. She said she often performed breathing exercises in the pool, which Williams knew about. That day, however, he allegedly used the opportunity to attack when no one was nearby.

She further alleged that Williams had threatened her life in the past, once choking her and often telling her that if she left him, he would “find a way to kill” her. According to her statement, she believed him because he boasted about his family’s history of violence — including his father allegedly threatening her mother with a gun and his brother being imprisoned for murder.

Domestic Violence Context

The woman told authorities that Williams relied on her financially, using her money for alcohol and affairs with other women. Tensions escalated when she confronted him about his infidelity and refused to proceed with marriage plans. Police documents note that this financial imbalance and his alcohol use often triggered his aggression.

During the latest incident, she said Williams approached her while she was holding the pool railings and practicing underwater breathing. He then allegedly dragged her to the center of the pool and forced her underwater until a witness intervened by calling 911.

Police Findings and Charges

Officers at the scene noted Williams gave inconsistent answers about the events. He also tried to portray his fiancée as mentally unstable, claiming she had dementia and needed psychiatric commitment under the state’s Baker Act. Despite these claims, police found her mentally alert though shaken and emotionally distressed.

Williams was arrested and charged with attempted homicide and domestic battery. He was later released on bond but is prohibited from contacting the victim. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 6.

Larger Concerns

The case underscores the dangers faced by victims of domestic violence, particularly when financial dependency and prior threats of harm are involved. Advocates stress that such incidents often escalate over time, with patterns of control, intimidation, and physical abuse culminating in life-threatening violence.

Police credit the witness who reported the incident with helping save the victim’s life. Without intervention, investigators believe the outcome could have been fatal.

As the case moves toward trial, prosecutors will weigh the victim’s testimony, witness accounts, and inconsistencies in Williams’ story against his defense. For now, the woman remains under medical care and protective orders, while the community awaits justice in what authorities describe as a chilling act of attempted murder.