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 Sun Sentinel news partner WPEC-Ch. 12.
"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 first-degree 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, Martin County Sheriff William 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.
Harrouff tested negative for common street drugs, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana. The FBI is conducting a more extensive test that would detect the presence of bath salts and flakka.
A stun gun seemed to have no effect on Harrouff, who appeared to have "abnormal strength," Snyder said. It took several deputies and a canine to subdue Harrouff.
Harrouff told deputies after the attack, "Test me, you won't find any drugs," officials said.
Also Monday, WPEC-Ch. 12 reported that one of its photojournalists found a pair of shorts some distance from the crime scene and handed the evidence over to detectives.
"We do have that evidence," Snyder said. "A news crew led us to some blood about a mile away from the scene and some shorts, and we will analyze both of those pieces of evidence to see if they come back to Harrouff."
