Accused killer told deputies he ate ‘humans'

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A man who was hospitalized after authorities said he killed two people and attempted to kill another man, spit out a piece of human flesh, according to Martin County court documents.

“Help me, I ate something bad,” Austin Harrouff said at St. Mary's Medical Center, according to Martin County sheriff’s deputies.

“What did you eat?” a sergeant asked.

“Humans,” Harrouff replied.

Harrouff, 19, faces two counts of second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and burglary of a dwelling after sheriff’s investigators said he stabbed John Stevens III, 59, and Michelle Mishcon, 53, to death Aug. 15 at their home on Southeast Kokomo Lane.

The story made national headlines after authorities said they found Harrouff on top of Stevens, biting his face. Harrouff was arrested Oct. 3 and formally charged with the murders on Oct. 19, more than two months after the attack.

Harrouff was at St. Mary’s Medical Center for several weeks, Medical staff said he ingested some chemicals that he likely found in the garage where he killed the two victims.

When deputies found Harrouff at the scene Aug. 15, he was choking and biting Stevens in the driveway of the home, authorities said. One deputy ordered Harrouff off Stevens at gunpoint, and when a second deputy arrived, he used a Taser on Harrouff, but Harrouff wouldn’t let Stevens go.

The deputy said he kicked Harrouff in the head several times and he got off of the man for a minute, but immediately got back on him and began to chew his face again, according to the report.

Sheriff William Snyder told the media that Harrouff exhibited an extreme amount of strength.

A Tequesta K-9 officer arrived and deployed his dog who latched onto Harrouff and allowed law enforcement officers to handcuff him. After deputies were finally able to get him off Stevens, Harrouff yelled at the deputies, “(Expletive) kill me, (expletive) kill me, shoot me now, I deserve to die,” authorities said.

Cox Media Group