Accused killer may have ingested solvents

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida State University student accused of killing a random Martin County couple and then biting the man’s face remained in stable but critical condition Monday as investigators tried to piece together what sparked the attack.

Austin Harrouff’s condition may be the result of his possibly swallowing a chemical found in the garage after the killings, Sheriff William Snyder told a local television station.

“It’s a typical garage. There were solvents … things he could have consumed,” Snyder said. “The hospital speculated, that first night, based on his body fluids, he had ingested something caustic from the garage.”

It’s not clear if Harrouff drank chemicals to harm himself or to ingest fluids because he was thirsty, the station reported.

Harrouff, 19, who was visiting South Florida while on break, faces charges of firstdegree murder in the deaths of John Stevens III, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53.

Harrouff, who had no criminal history, left Duffy’s Sports Grill during a family dinner Aug. 15, walked about three miles and then attacked the couple, Snyder said.

A neighbor, 47-year-old Jeff Fisher, was stabbed several times when he tried to intervene. He has been released from the hospital.

Investigators are waiting for Harrouff to become more alert for questioning and for the FBI to provide the results of a drug test. Harrouff is expected to be released from St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach early this week, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.