A four-year-old girl found herself at the center of a horrifying crime, witnessing the unthinkable—her own father taking the lives of her mother, grandfather, and a neighbor.
Authorities in Florida say the child recounted the events in disturbing detail, providing a heartbreaking account of what transpired.
A Nightmarish Morning Unfolds
Seraphine, the daughter of 43-year-old Nathan Gingles, was sitting in the living room of her home in Tamarac when chaos erupted.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by the Miami Herald, her father suddenly entered through the back door, carrying a long black firearm.
Nathan’s first target was his father-in-law, 64-year-old David Ponzer, who was peacefully drinking coffee on the patio.
As he fired the fatal shots, Nathan reportedly said, “Bye-bye.”
Ponzer was killed instantly around 6:30 a.m.
A Desperate Escape Turns Fatal
Seraphine then saw her mother, 34-year-old Mary Catherine Gingles, running for her life.
Mary fled onto the street, screaming for help and banging on doors in a desperate attempt to escape.
She managed to get inside the home of 36-year-old Andrew Ferrin, a neighbor.
However, surveillance footage showed Nathan pursuing her, entering Ferrin’s house moments later.
Inside, the little girl said she heard her father shoot her mother “a hundred times,” though police later confirmed 10 shots were fired.
Both Mary and Ferrin were found dead in a bedroom—Mary on the floor near a window and Ferrin in bed, covered with a blanket.
Investigators also discovered that Mary had severe facial injuries and marks from a taser gun on her right shoulder blade, indicating a prolonged attack.
“My Dad Won” – A Child’s Heartbreaking Words
Seraphine described the horrific murders in simple yet devastating terms.
She told investigators that her mother and grandfather had been “defeated” and that she had hoped her mother would “win.”
But in the end, she said, “My dad won.”
Following the killings, Nathan took his daughter and drove away, telling her they were heading to Texas to visit family.
But authorities quickly issued an Amber Alert, leading to his arrest later that day in a Walmart parking lot in North Lauderdale.
A History of Violence Ignored
Court records paint a grim picture of a man with a history of domestic violence.
Nathan had been legally barred from seeing Mary after she obtained a restraining order against him in February 2024.
The couple had been going through a divorce, which was still ongoing at the time of the murders.
Authorities now acknowledge that law enforcement failed to act on multiple warning signs.
Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony took responsibility for the lapses and announced that seven deputies were suspended following an internal investigation.
He admitted that officers had previously failed to intervene in domestic disputes involving Nathan, despite clear indications that Mary was in danger.
Missed Warnings and Escalating Threats
Mary had long feared for her life. Court documents reveal that she met Nathan in 2016 and married him two years later.
The couple moved to Germany, where their daughter was born in 2020.
But behind closed doors, Mary alleged that Nathan was abusive and frequently threatened to kill her and their child.
She recounted one particularly chilling incident when Nathan, under the influence of Adderall, sang a disturbing song about murdering her and hiding the body where no one would ever find it.
She lived in constant fear, repeatedly seeking legal protection.
In October 2024, she discovered a tracking device on her car that matched one Nathan had recently purchased.
By December, she found what she believed to be a “murder kit” in her garage and told authorities she was certain he was planning to kill her.
Despite securing an extended protection order, it wasn’t enough to prevent the tragedy.
What Comes Next?
Nathan Gingles is now being held without bond at the Broward County Main Jail, facing three counts of premeditated first-degree murder.
If convicted, he could face the death penalty.
In addition to the murder charges, he is also charged with kidnapping, violating a restraining order, and child abuse.
Meanwhile, the community is left grappling with the consequences of a system that failed to protect Mary and her family.
As investigations continue, Sheriff Tony has vowed to hold those responsible for negligence accountable.
For little Seraphine, the journey ahead will be one of healing.
She has lost her mother, her grandfather, and the life she once knew—all in a single morning of unimaginable horror.
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