Before the cannibalistic disaster that happened on the night of August 15, Austin Harrouff’s name was one that might have made you think of academic accomplishment, athletic success, and the potential for a bright future; now, it conjures up a much different picture.
Not long after a Harrouff family dinner at a Duffy’s restaurant in Jupiter, Austin made his way three and a half miles to the garage of John Stevens and Michelle Mishcon Stevens, where he began brutally beating them, and was later found gnawing at Stevens’ face. Their neighbor, Jeff Fisher, was also allegedly stabbed many times by Harrouff when he tried to call authorities and help the couple. Harrouff, a 19-year-old rising sophomore at Florida State University, was Tasered by police, attacked by dogs, and was only able to finally be removed from Stevens after three officers took him to the ground themselves. Now, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s office, Austin Harrouff will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder once he's released from St. Mary's Medical Center.
What caused this wild, sudden change in Harrouff? What made this seemingly level-headed student attack three innocent civilians? According to Martin County Sheriff William Snyder, the real motive behind the murders may never be known. Regardless of what police discover, here are some crucial components of the case to help fully grasp the situation.
Harrouff showed signs of ill-temperament and danger leading up to the incident.
Austin’s neighbors and parents said they had seen signs of aggression and anger, and reported screaming fights in front of his father’s house. The attacker’s parents are divorced, and he was living with his dad, Wade Harrouff. Austin’s mother also said that she noticed strange behavior at her home as well, and remembers him saying that he was immortal and had super powers.
Austin had no relation to the couple killed, or the bystander trying to help.
Many times, with stories like this, you can tie the anger, rage, and murder to a relational problem between people who have history with each other; in this case, the victims had no relationship to Harrouff at all.
No drugs have been proven to be involved… yet.
Doctors tested for drugs such as cocaine, opiates, marijuana, and methamphetamines, all which came back negative. The results of another drug, Flakka, are pending — it will apparently take a few weeks to process. This drug is currently believed to be tied to the murder, as Austin reflected many physical effects of the drug such as making animal noises and tearing off his clothes. Many believe Austin was not under the influence of Flakka, however, as his body temperature at the scene was not consistent with the standard, extreme warming effects of the drug.
According to his friends, Harrouff may have used steroids, which could have potentially influenced the events that evening.
Although Austin posted videos of himself explaining why steroids are not right for him, his peers and fellow FSU students say that during his freshman year of college he grew in size at “alarming rates”, and many of his peers believe the incident can be attested to a “bad, bad roid rage”.
Austin had a promising career ahead of him.
Harrouff was a captain of his football team at Suncoast Community High where he was a starting nose guard, and had dreams to play in college as well. He also wrestled in high school and earned all-conference status. Even with all the physical and athletic accomplishments, the quarterback on Austin’s high school football team, Matt Dame, still added that he “didn’t think he would hurt a fly,” speaking of Austin’s temperament. He was an International Baccalaureate student at Suncoast Community High, and was studying exercise science at Florida State University.
So now, the questions remain…
Why did Austin target the murdered couple? Was the drug Flakka the sole reason he acted in this monstrous manner? Why did this young man sacrifice what he had just to carry out these actions? The motives behind his actions, and questions looking to answer how it happened, may forever be left unanswered. For now, we will wait on medical results, extended police reports, and further in-depth coverage of the story as it unfolds to answer these unknowns.
