[He] apparently attacked both of them with a knife that he was known to carry, Snyder said. On Monday night, Harrouff allegedly stormed out of a restaurant, complaining of slow service, and inexplicably turned down the street where the couple lived about a 15-minute walk from the restaurant Martin County Sheriff William Snyder previously told PEOPLE. The sheriff in Martin County believes that 19-year-old Austin Harrouff had taken the drug. The victims families did not buy that Harrouff was insane when he beat and stabbed their loved ones to death on Aug. 15, 2016. The Miami Herald said multiple weapons of opportunity were used to beat, slash and attack the couple, including a switchblade the suspect was known to carry. Snyder has said Harrouff left in apparent anger after an argument with his father at their table. Harrouff purchased hallucinogenic mushrooms a few days before the attack, investigators have said, but they found no traces of the drug in his blood that night, according to CNN affiliate WPLG. Michelle Mishcon Stevens and her husband John Stevens. I love you to the deep blue and beyond. Why did the 19 year-old suspected killer suddenly and without reason attack his parents? Although the result of the "case fails to bring comfort to the families of the victims, this finding brings this matter to its right and lawful end," said King. The couple was attacked,stabbed and bitten in the garage and driveway of their home near Jupiter, Florida. "Do you know what you said to him? On Monday night about 9:20 p.m., John Stevens and his wife, Michelle Mishcon, died after an attack. The families of John Stevens IIIandMichelle Mishconvoiced disgust and anger on Monday, as a judge accepted the insanity plea from defendantAustin Harrouff, 25. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said evidence shows Austin Harrouff, 19, a Florida State University student whose father lives near the slain couple, killed them. Open main menu. Funeral services are held for John Stevens and Michelle Mishcon, the victims of an alleged attack by Austin Harrouff in Tequesta. A family has been left heartbroken, trying to somehow understand the unthinkable. Upon finding Mishcon Stevens and her husband, John Stevens III, 59, sitting in their garage with the door open, Harrouff allegedly attacked them, stabbing the pair with what cops believe. Have a tip or story idea? Michelle Mishcon met Stevens, a divorced father of two, in Miami in the late 1990s. The Miami Herald said deputies found the 19-year-old suspect crouched over the bleeding body of the man, biting chunks of his face off.. Did you throw the drugs out?' A random, vicious attack killed Martin County couple John Stevens III and Michelle Mishcon. Austin Harrouff. Everyone just wants to get this over with, so Austin can get a slap on his wrist and go home and go on with the rest of his life. The false narrative advanced by the State that the homicides were the result of her client ingesting Flakka, or bath salts, was debunked repeatedly, King said in a statement to CNN. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, Dr. Phil interviews Austin Harrouff on face-biting attack, NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead. Harrouff can only be released on a court order, he said. He wrote Harrouff suffered from "severe mental disease," in particular bipolar disorder and acute manic episodes with psychotic features and clinical lycanthropy delusions, also known as werewolf syndrome. Martin County Sheriffs officials say Harrouff will be charged with multiple counts, including first degree murder for the deaths of both Mishcon and Stevens, once he is released. / CNN. Police said Harrouff, 19, had no known connections to the victims and the attack was random and unprovoked, said CBS 12. [8] He said that it took up to four officers and a police dog to subdue Harrouff, who was allegedly clutching Stevens and trying to eat his face. Hours later, authorities responded to the Stevens' home and found the teen stabbing the couple to death and then biting John Stevens' face, CNN has reported. "It's like a nightmare. An autopsy on Mishcon is scheduled for Wednesday, Snyder said. Where was the advocate then?. If not with his life, then with the only thing we can get from him, which is a civil judgment.". Student accused of killing couple in Martin County claimed he had super powers, Student accused of killing couple in Martin County improving in Palm Beach County hospital. He could have been using the drugs bath salts or flakka (alpha-PVP), according to the police. "I look at my daughter every day (and think) how much joy he would have gotten out of knowing her. tells The Palm Beach Post his son remains in the hospital and his organs are failing. Harrouff was found not guilty by reason of insanity for killing John Stevens III, 59 and Michelle Mishcon, 53, during a brutal attack Aug. 15, 2016 at their home on Southeast Kokomo Lane. MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CNN) -- Austin Harrouff, the 25-year-old accused of stabbing a Florida couple to death and biting the face of the male victim in 2016, will be sent to a mental hospital instead of prison, according to court documents. Law-enforcement officers say they do not know what prompted the attacks, but believe it may been a drug-fueled crime. As the Jupiter teen was taken that night to St. Marys Medical Center in West Palm Beach, he said he ate something bad. denies Austin Harrouff's defense attorneys' motion to find Florida's insanity defense law unconstitutional. schedules a Nov. 4 trial date for Austin Harrouff. 2 men found not guilty of murder in 2016 shooting death of Riviera girl. Other family members echoed her sentiments. Who'd Once Dated Victim's Wife, N.Y. Discovery Company. "They met there and. If the trial had gone forward, Harrouff could have faced life in prison. Overview. The retired couple were enjoying what seemed to be another perfect Florida night togther, sitting in their "garage ma hall". Michelle Mishcon Stevens and Jeff Mishcon. / AP. Police in Florida say that a college student killed two people before trying to eat one the victim's faces. "The weird behavior is coming from schizophrenia in my family.". White maintained that prosecutors did everything possible to prove the case, but the facts were not there. The 22-year-old Harrouff is charged with murdering 59-year-old John Stevens III and 53-year-old Michelle Mishcon in 2016 and attacking their neighbor, Jeff Fisher, who tried to intervene in the . He said that what happened to the victims was horrific, probably one of the worst slayings in the circuit. He has claimed he was fleeing a demon when the attack happened. There were lacerations, stab wounds and blunt trauma,, Michelle Mishcon Stevens & John Stevens III: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. But here we are, opening the prison doors for a double murderer. which led to more court hearings fighting over the release of all footage, The State Attorney's Office in Martin County releases Austin Harrouff's jail calls. One speaker, who identified herself as Hailey, told Harrouff that his parents enabled him. Sept. 7, 2016: Wade Harrouff appears on Dr. Phil McGraw's TV show. Defendants are presumed sane under Florida law, meaning that Harrouff must show he had a severe mental breakdown that prevented him from understanding actions or that they were even wrong by "clear and convincing" evidence. Florida Judge Sherwood Bauer, of the 19th Judicial Circuit, found Harrouff not guilty by reason of insanity and ordered him to be sent to a mental hospital after the prosecution and the defense reached an agreement to avoid trial, according to court documents. In a newly released clip from the upcoming interview, Dr. Wade Harrouff says he was with his son, Austin Harrouff, at dinner on Aug. 15 just before Austin allegedly attacked John Stevens III. Michelle Mishcon and John Stevens III were murdered at their Florida home on Monday. Austin Harrouff, 25, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of first-degree murder and other charges for the 2016 slayings of John Stevens, 59, and his wife, Michelle Mishcon . More than 500 people attended John Stevens and his wife, Michelle Mishcon's memorial service in Fort Lauderdale Friday. Michelle Mischon's family files a wrongful-death lawsuit against Austin Harrouff. On Facebook, Michelle says she worked at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, lived in Jupiter, Florida, was married, and was from North Miami Beach. Harrouff's parents and others said he had acted strangely for weeks. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said evidence shows Austin Harrouff, 19, a Florida. November 30, 2022 / 7:27 PM That's because he's accused of entering private property to initiate the attack. All of your favorites, now on Zeno. CAKEGATE 2023: Bad Bunny's Restaurant Accused of Gobbling Birthday Girl's Cake, Sen. Rubio's Permanent Daylight Savings Bill Sees Light of Day Once More, Death Train: A Timeline of Brightline Fatalities in South Florida UPDATED, Neighborhood Nazi Jon Minadeo Peddles Hate by the Minute, NFL Legend Ray Lewis Joins World Jai-Alai League Board of Directors, Affordable New "Micro-Units" Slated for Little River, Edgewater. Jodi Bruce, one of Michelles sisters, said she learned from the news not from prosecutors or the victim advocate about the death penalty not being an option in this case. Deputies encountered Harrouff biting off the face of Stevens in the driveway of the couples home around 9:20 p.m., said CBS 12. "I know it's not flakka-induced," Wade Harrouff said. file a notice of intent to use the insanity defense during his first-degree murder trial. The company went dormant Sept. 28, 2012. Chris Harris. He sentenced Harrouff to treatment in the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services because it was determined that the defendant was danger to himself and others. Thats all you have to do.. Harrouff, then 19-years-old, was having dinner with his family when he stormed off in an agitated state, officials said at the time. Why my two beautiful boys will never have grandparents. Michelle Mishcon Stevens and John Stevens III were attacked and killed in 2016. released 22 minutes of unedited video of Austin Harrouff's interview with Dr. Phil McGraw. In the calls, his emotions range from apologetic to worried and sad for his actions to joking with his parents and complaining about how bored he is. Every share was with a BIG Smile, from their boat, having been out on the water. The trial had been delayed by the pandemic, legal wrangling and Harrouff's recovery from critical injuries suffered while drinking a chemical during the attack. Michelle Mishcon Stevens and John Stevens. In a relatively short but visceral statement, she acknowledged that like the defendant, she previously abused drugs and alcohol, But Hailey said that during this low point, the only person she wanted to harm was herself. Officials said it looked like the husband tried to fight back., WPTV quoted a police official as saying, Both victims sustained massive trauma on multiple portions of their body. At one point, deputies say the former Florida State University student even told deputies to just kill me.. Investigators said his Google searches consisted of questions about needing sleep, white magic, "How to know if you're going crazy" and several other topics. He declined further comment to The Associated Press on Friday. On April 6, 2009 Stevens created John on the Green, Inc, and listed himself as president, and vice president, according to state business records. The couple have two children, a daughter named Ivy Stevens and a son also named John Stevens after his father. He was super excitedso thats made it that much more hard for us.. Investigators believe he drank something from inside the garage where the fatal attacks occurred, damaging his organs. On top of that, they sometimes even took his parents to task. Michelle posted a video story on her life on Facebook: A co-worker wrote of Michelle, Will always remember this incredible person, always smiling and happy. The New York Daily News says the neighbor who intervened was expected to recover but suffered substantial injuries. First published on November 30, 2022 / 7:27 PM. Defense attorney Robert Watson argued the state law's requirement for a defendant to prove insanity by a "clear and convincing" standard wrongly shifts the burden of proof from the state to the defendant. In the other court documents, more details emerge: In the hours before the attacks, friends and family said Austin Harrouff had been acting strangely. "(Harrouff) will pay for what he has done. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. He'llalso be charged with burglary, the statement said. Circuit Judge Sherwood Baueraccepted Harrouffs plea, however, on the day trial was set to begin. Citing jailhouse phone calls, Michelles sister Cindy Mishconasserted that he did not care about committing the murders. ", "There are no words we can offer to give any real comfort for this tragic loss," the statement says. A Warner Bros. (Facebook/Michelle Mishcon Stevens). Phil is aired on TV, showing more in the interview than what was previously provided in public-records request, which led to more court hearings fighting over the release of all footage recorded by McGraw and his production company. Aug. 15, 2018: Two years after her father and stepmother's deaths, Ivy Stevens spoke with The Post about learning to cope with the loss. Michelle Mishcon Stevens is the wife of Joseph John Stevens III. Stevens died from multiple stab wounds and blunt trauma, and he had serious stab wounds to his head, neck and chest, Snyder said an autopsy shows. Inside the garage of the home on Southeast Kokomo Lane, just north of the Palm Beach County line, deputies found 53-year-old Michelle Mishcon, beaten, bloodied and unresponsive. ("Austin) must have some psychological break. His father identified the neighbor as Jeff Fisher, 47, said WPTV. Harrouff was grunting and growling at the scene and making animal-like noises, police said, according to The New York Daily News. They were generous and giving people., Andersen describes Mishcon as a very special person and called Stevens one of the sweetest, mild-mannered men youd ever meet.. Authorities said they even found Harrouff biting Stevens face. The couple often rode around the neighborhood in their golf cart with their dog. Bauer said he will not be allowed to leave the facility without a court order. Fisher ran home after being stabbed several times. All rights reserved. Aug. 24, 2016: Wade Harrouff tells The Post he blames mental illness for his son's actions. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. If we need to be the punching bag, thats fine, he told Law&Crime on the phone. "We have two people -- middle-age people -- sitting on their couch enjoying the night and out of nowhere for reasons we may never know, they are attacked by a man with a knife who overcomes them both and kills them," Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said after the killings in 2016. WATCH: FSU Student Allegedly Ate Victims Face After Stabbing Him and Wife, Suspect in Slaying of Physician Assistant Is Another P.A. His petition to the U.S. Congress resulted in the Patent Law of 1790, the foundation of the present U.S. patent system. Austin murdered Joseph John Stevens III and his better half, Michelle Mishcon Stevens, on August 15, 2016, before eating Joseph's face. A random, vicious attack killed Martin County couple John Stevens III and Michelle Mishcon. Austin Harrouff, the 25-year-old accused of stabbing a Florida couple to death and biting the face of the male victim in 2016, will be sent to a mental hospital instead of prison. John Stevens IV, Stevens son, told the Sun Sentinel, It is not super important to me what his mindset was. Florida Judge Sherwood Bauer, of the 19th Judicial Circuit, found Harrouff not guilty by reason of insanity and ordered him to be sent to a mental hospital after the prosecution and the defense reached an agreement to avoid trial, according to court documents. One of my amazing coworkers, We love you Michelle! I hope you never find happiness for the rest of your life, she said. The victim that you and your family see in all of this is you and the Harrouff name, she said. In backhanded fashion, he expressed willingness to forgive Harrouff if the 25-year-old did to himself what he did to Michelle. Michelle Mishcon Stevens and John Joseph Stevens III are the married couple murdered in a horrific face-eating attack by a Florida college fraternity student, police say. "I'm so sorry and I never wanted this to happen," Austin Harrouff said in the interview. TCPalm staff writers Laurie K. Blandford, Will Greenlee and Melissa E. Holsman contributed to this report. November 2016: After news of Austin Harrouff saying he ate humans made international headlines, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter to the Martin County Sheriff's Office asking that the teen be put on a vegan diet while in jail. Palm Beach Gardens homicide puts 'gang . The television station said that authorities tried everything from a stun gun to a K-9 and manpower to get Harrouff off the victim but called it a struggle. It took three deputies to subdue Harrouff, said The New York Daily News. he said he ate something bad. The Herald said toxicology tests for more unique synthetic drugs are still pending and Harrouff is hospitalized. All Rights Reserved. Very proud of him! Many of his photos revolved around deep-sea fishing. He could be anyones son, brother, neighbor, friend. A psychologist hired by prosecutors determined that "face biter" defendant Austin Harrouff, 23, appeared legally insane under Florida law during the horrific 2016 killings of John Stevens III, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. August 17, 2016 Miami's independent source of "The Harrouff family loves Austin as they know the Stevens and Mishcon families loved John Stevens III and Michelle Mishcon," the statement reads. The couples home is in Tequesta, an affluent neighborhood in Florida. Loved ones argued that Harrouff knew what he was doing when he killed the couple and injured neighbor Jeffrey Fisher. She added that she was devastated when she learned what had happened to her friends. Personal Life. Emailus. CBS 12 said authorities are testing Harrouff for bath salts and Flakka but added that he has tested negative in the first few tests. The Miami Herald said Harrouff was a Florida State University sophomore studying pre-exercise science and said he was eating dinner at Duffys, a sports pub down the block, with his parents when he got mad from possibly about slow service and stormed out. Some experts have also raised steroid rage as a possibility. Mishcon Stevens sister, Cindy Mishcon, was the first to address Harrouff in court, according to WPLG. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. John Stevens was born into a wealthy family in New York City in 1749. Two mental health experts, one hired by the defense and another by prosecutors, examined Harrouff and found he suffered an acute psychotic episode during the attack, and couldn't distinguish between right and wrong. Four words come to mind: white, rich boy justice, Mishcon said, according to WPLG. (left) Ivy Stevens, (center) John Stevens III, (right) Michelle Mishcon Stevens (courtesy of Ivy Stevens).png TEQUESTA, Fla. (CBS12) On Monday evening, Ivy Stevens got a knock on her door. Harrouff, who was home for the summer from Florida State University, is alleged to have stabbed and attacked the couple after walking out of a restaurant following an argument with his parents. Austin Harrouff, 19, has been charged with killing Michelle Mishcon, 53, and her husband John Stevens, 59. "Two experts, one for the defense and one for the State, determined Austin was experiencing a psychotic break at the time of the homicides and lacked the intent necessary to be criminally responsible for his conduct," said King. On Monday night about 9:20 p.m., John Stevens and his wife, Michelle Mishcon, died after an attack. I dedicate the future of my career to fulfilling my promises to you. And she says that if she could ask Harrouff one question, it would be, Why?. WPTV said his parents called police because they were so worried and his fraternity brothers went looking for him. Michelle Mishcon Stevens and John Stevens III were attacked and killed in 2016. The interview took place over video chat while Harrouff was at St. Mary's and just days before his arrest.