The Latest: Woman was beaten to death in biting attack


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

TEQUESTA, Fla. (AP) — The Latest on the killing of a couple by an attacker caught biting the dead man's face (all times local):

3:20 p.m.

An autopsy shows that a woman who police say was killed randomly with her husband by a 19-year-old Florida State University student was beaten to death.

Martin County sheriff's spokeswoman Trisha Kukuvka released the results of 53-year-old Michelle Mishcon's autopsy Wednesday. Sheriff William Snyder said earlier that Mishcon's 59-year-old husband, John Stevens, died of multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

Mishcon had also been stabbed, but the autopsy showed those wounds were not fatal. She died of blunt force trauma.

Kukuvka said accused attacker Austin Harrouff remains in stable condition but has been unable to speak because of a breathing tube.

Harrouff is accused of killing the couple outside their Tequesta home Monday night.

___

1:15 p.m.

The mother of a 19-year-old Florida State University student accused of fatally stabbing a couple outside their home and then biting the dead man's face told police he had been acting strangely for days and claiming superpowers.

According to a report released Wednesday, Mina Harrouff reported Austin Harrouff missing to Jupiter police about three hours after he stormed from a restaurant after arguing with his father. She didn't know that about 45 minutes after leaving, according to police, he killed 53-year-old Michelle Mishcon and 59-year-old John Stevens in a random attack. It took several deputies and a dog to pry Austin Harouff off Stevens after he chewed the dead man's face.

Mina Harrouff also told police her son had no history of mental illness and wasn't a heavy drug user. She didn't think he was a danger to himself or others.

___

10:45 a.m.

Authorities say a 19-year-old Florida State University student accused of fatally stabbing a couple outside their home and then biting the dead man's face is now in stable condition.

Martin County sheriff's spokeswoman Trisha Kukuvka said in a text message Wednesday that Austin Harrouff will undergo hand surgery later in the day. Sheriff William Snyder had said Tuesday night that Harrouff's condition had deteriorated and he had been in danger of dying.

Snyder says Harrouff killed 53-year-old Michelle Mishcon and 59-year-old John Stevens in a random attack outside the couple's Tequesta home Monday night. Harrouff's attorney, Michelle Suskauer, did not immediately return a call and email seeking comment.

__

7:45 a.m.

A 19-year-old Florida State University student charged with fatally stabbing a couple and biting the dead man's face remains under surveillance with guards by his side at a hospital.

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said Austin Harrouff was incoherent and making "animal-like noises" when he was taken to a hospital after the Monday night attack.

Snyder said Tuesday that Harrouff's condition was "life-threatening." West Palm Beach television station WPTV (http://bit.ly/2b0lqH8 ) reports Harrouff was sedated and on a ventilator Wednesday.

Snyder says Harrouff tested negative for a number of drugs, including methamphetamine. Results for substances known to cause excited delirium — such a flakka and bath salts — are pending. Synder noted that Harrouff didn't have the raised body temperature often associated with flakka use.

Authorities say 53-year-old Michelle Mishcon and 59-year-old John Stevens died and their neighbor was injured trying to fend off the attacker.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most recent U.S. stories

Related topics

U.S.
The Associated Press

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast