Accused face-biting Florida killer may have ingested chemicals from victims' garage
TEQUESTA, Florida – A 19-year old Florida State University student accused of killing a Tequesta couple to death and biting the man’s face may have ingested chemicals from his victims’ garage.
Martin County sheriff’s investigators told CBS West Palm affiliate WPEC that they are not sure if Austin Harrouff drank the chemicals to harm himself or if he was just thirsty.
“It’s a typical garage. There were solvents... things he could have consumed and that first night at the hospital, the hospital speculated that first night based on his body fluids he had ingested something caustic from the garage,” Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said.
Harrouff remains in critical condition at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Investigators are waiting for him to become more alert so they can question him.
After he reportedly killed 59-year-old John Stevens and his 53-year-old wife, Michelle Mishcon, Harrouff told deputies, “Test me. You won’tfind any drugs.” He tested negative for common street drugs like cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine. The results of more extensive testing to determine whether he may have ingested bath salts or flakka are still pending.
Autopsy results show Mischcon died from blunt force trauma injuries and Stevens died from multiple injuries.
Harrouff will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the couple’s death, as well as attempted first-degree murder for the stabbing of the couple’s neighbor, Jeff Fisher, who suffered multiple wounds when he tried to intervene before calling 911.