Pictures show aftermath of 'Cannibal frat boy' killing in Florida

July 2024 · 9 minute read

These shocking crime scene photos show the 'cannibal' frat boy moments after he allegedly attacked a couple at random and chewed the dead man's face - but a toxicology report has revealed he had no hallucinogenic drugs in his system at the time.

Austin Harrouff is accused of beating and stabbing John Stevens, 59, and his 53-year-old wife Michelle Mishcon outside their home in Jupiter, Florida, on August 15.

The dramatic images – showing the 19-year-old covered in blood, handcuffed on the ground and with his mouth hanging open – were released by state prosecutors along with court documents which went into detail about what happened on the night.

It comes as an FBI toxicology report released on Wednesday revealed that Harrouff had no hallucinogenic drugs in his system at the time of the attacks – only a trace amount of marijuana.

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder had previously speculated that Harrouff may have been on flakka or bath salts.

The synthetic drugs have been linked to causing paranoia, nightmarish visions and periods of super-human strength - but they weren't detected in the Florida State University student.

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Austin Harrouff is seen on the ground handcuffed with his hands behind his back after he allegedly killed two people in Florida Evidence photos pertaining to Austin Harrouff murder case

Austin Harrouff is seen on the ground handcuffed with his hands behind his back after he allegedly killed two people in Florida

Shocking photos have emerged showing the moments after 'Cannibal frat boy' killer, Austin Harrouff, allegedly attacked a random couple and chewed on the dead man's face

Shocking photos have emerged showing the moments after 'Cannibal frat boy' killer, Austin Harrouff, allegedly attacked a random couple and chewed on the dead man's face

The teenager was hospitalized for two months after the murders for a burned esophagus, possibly from ingesting chemicals found in the couple's garage.

Nellie King, Harrouff's attorney, said on Wednesday that her client is mentally ill.

'The judicial process will bear all of this out in due time,' King said in a statement.

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Harrouff’s father, Wade, told Dr. Phil in an interview in September that he believes his son suffers from an undiagnosed mental illness, such as schizophrenia. which he says runs in his family.

Harrouff has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, attempted first-murder and burglary. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Prosecutors declined to comment.

Other pictures from the scene show a bloody knife and pair of scissors, while items of clothing and blood are also visible on the ground.

Austin Harrouff has been accused of murdering John Stevens, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53, at the couple's Jupiter, Florida home on August 15

Austin Harrouff has been accused of murdering John Stevens, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53, at the couple's Jupiter, Florida home on August 15

Harrouff is seen tied to a stretcher as he lays back with a far-away look in his eyes and his mouth hanging wide open after he was caught by police

Harrouff is seen tied to a stretcher as he lays back with a far-away look in his eyes and his mouth hanging wide open after he was caught by police

Harrouff, 19, had cuts to his face and was covered in blood as he was taken away by police after they managed to sedate him

Harrouff, 19, had cuts to his face and was covered in blood as he was taken away by police after they managed to sedate him

There were also picture showed splatters inside the house and in the kitchen. Another was taken in the garage when Mishcon's body was found.

Deputies had said when they arrived at the couple's home, they found the then-muscular former high school football player and wrestler in his underwear, making animal noises and biting Stevens' face as he pinned the man's body to the driveway.

According to court documents, one deputy ordered Harrouff off Stevens at gunpoint while another used an electric stun gun on him but he wouldn't let go. 

Snyder has said the deputies didn't shoot Harrouff because they feared hitting Stevens.

Finally, a deputy with a dog arrived and its bites enabled deputies to subdue Harrouff. Mishcon's body was found in the garage.

Splatters of blood are seen on the ground outside the Florida home, as well as a sandal with blood on it 

Splatters of blood are seen on the ground outside the Florida home, as well as a sandal with blood on it 

Harrouff has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Pictured are drops of blood on the concrete near the Florida home

Harrouff has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges. He could face the death penalty if convicted. Pictured are drops of blood on the concrete near the Florida home

A bloody knife found at the scene A pair of blue scissors found at the scene

Two items found near the murder scenes, a bloody knife and a pair of blue scissors, were photographed by police investigators

Harrouff, who had no previous arrest record, told deputies: 'Help me, I ate something bad.' 

He then admitted it was 'humans' as he spit out a piece of flesh, court documents show. He begged deputies to kill him after they pulled him off Stevens, according to the records.

'Shoot me now, I deserve to die,' Harrouff said.

According to police reports released Wednesday, Harrouff's family and friends told detectives he had been acting strangely in the days and hours before the attack. 

His mother told police he claimed to have superpowers and having been sent to help people. 

His bed had been moved to the garage because he thought there were demons in the house. 

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Deputies had said when they arrived at the couple's home, they found the then-muscular former high school football player and wrestler in his underwear, making animal noises and biting Stevens' face as he pinned the man's body to the driveway. Pictured in the scene outside the house

Deputies had said when they arrived at the couple's home, they found the then-muscular former high school football player and wrestler in his underwear, making animal noises and biting Stevens' face as he pinned the man's body to the driveway. Pictured in the scene outside the house

A corkscrew that appears to have been used during the attack A bloody trainer that was recovered

A corkscrew that appears to have been used to attack someone during the shocking incident and a blood-soaked Nike trainer are pictured

A messy series of finger prints are visible on the back of a car. The picture was taken by investigators with the Martin County State Attorney's office

A messy series of finger prints are visible on the back of a car. The picture was taken by investigators with the Martin County State Attorney's office

His sister, Haley, played for detectives an audiotape of Harrouff saying, 'All this pain and sorrow because I solve all problems people have' and 'I've become almost immortal, I have to die one day.' 

Haley Harrouff told detectives she had found her brother wandering the house one night saying he had the power to open locked doors. 

A friend, Samuel Polacek, said Harrouff showed up at his door, asked him his birthdate and then left. He returned and they went to the beach. He said during the drive, Harrouff claimed to be half-animal, half-human.

Harrouff's father, Wade Harrouff, told investigators that they had gone for a walk the afternoon before the killings and came across two turtle shells. 

He said his son pulled out a knife and said something was going to happen. 

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Another picture was taken at the scene of the killings, showing the the garage when Michelle Mishcon's body was found

Another picture was taken at the scene of the killings, showing the the garage when Michelle Mishcon's body was found

Blood is seen on the floor Blood is seen in the home

Blood is seen smeared on the floor inside the Florida home where the couple was murdered, and dotted on the floor in the kitchen

He said he convinced his son to put away the knife, which was later found near the victims. He said his son then sprinted off, but when he returned he said he was hungry so they drove to a nearby sports bar.

Wade Harrouff said that after they were seated, his son complained that the food was taking too long and left. 

Harrouff apparently walked to his mother's house nearby, where she said she found him about to drink cooking oil. She said she told him to stop. 

She said she soon found him eating a bowl of cooking oil mixed with cheese. After Wade Harrouff called her, she took her son back to the restaurant.

His father says that when his son returned to the table, he grabbed his son by the shirt and told him to stop acting strangely. He said his son cocked his fist but didn't swing. Instead, he left.

A police stun gun is seen. Officers said they used the weapon on the 19-year-old alleged murderer as he was still attacking victim John Stevens

A police stun gun is seen. Officers said they used the weapon on the 19-year-old alleged murderer as he was still attacking victim John Stevens

Pictured is a letter Austin Harrouff wrote to himself on January 6, 2014. It was included in documents released by the Martin County State Attorney's Office

Pictured is a letter Austin Harrouff wrote to himself on January 6, 2014. It was included in documents released by the Martin County State Attorney's Office

This Oct. 3, 2016, file photo, provided by the Martin County Sheriff's Office, shows Austin Harrouff Austin Harrouff is transported by detectives to the Martin County Jail from St. Mary's Hospital on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016

Harrouff is seen (left) in a file photo taken on October 3. On the right, he is being led by detectives to the Martin County Jail on the same day

Surveillance video from the restaurant shows him calmly walking out about 45 minutes before the stabbings. 

He apparently walked the four miles to the victims' home, which was near his father's house. It is unknown how the encounter started, but Stevens and Mishcon were known to sit in their garage with the door open, watching television and chatting with passers-by.

The crime reports detail a fierce attack, with blood found all over the couple's driveway and their bodies displaying major wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Harrouff's parents issued a statement days afterward expressing condolences to the Stevens family and apologies to neighbor Jeff Fisher, who was stabbed while trying to rescue the couple. 

The 19-year-old college student is accused of stabbing to death Michelle Mishcon, 53, and her husband, John Stevens III, 59 (pictured together) before reportedly biting pieces of flesh off of the man's face

The 19-year-old college student is accused of stabbing to death Michelle Mishcon, 53, and her husband, John Stevens III, 59 (pictured together) before reportedly biting pieces of flesh off of the man's face

The 19-year-old accused of killing two people and chewing on the face of a man is pictured before the alleged attack on August 14 attack

The 19-year-old accused of killing two people and chewing on the face of a man is pictured before the alleged attack on August 14 attack

Mina Harrouff, Austin's mother (pictured together), called police before her spm allegedly killed a random Florida couple

Mina Harrouff, Austin's mother (pictured together), called police before her spm allegedly killed a random Florida couple

It's still unclear what motivated the attack or whether the Florida State University frat boy was on any drugs. He was walking towards his dad's house when he came across the Stevens residence and broke in 

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