MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories

Episode: Clinical Lycanthropy

Introduction to the Story

In this chilling episode of the MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories, Ballen Studios delves into one of the most disturbing and heinous crimes, centered around a rare psychological condition known as clinical lycanthropy. The story meticulously unpacks the life of Austin Harrif, whose descent into madness led to a horrifying act of violence that shocked his affluent Florida community.

Austin Harrif’s Background

Timestamp: [02:53]

Austin Harrif was born on December 21, 1996, in Palm Beach County, Florida, an area renowned for its wealth and beauty, home to numerous billionaires. Raised in a prosperous household with his dentist father and pharmacist mother, Austin's early life seemed idyllic. However, in 2010, at the age of 13, his parents unexpectedly divorced. Both parents quickly entered new relationships, a transition that, while sudden, was manageable since Austin and his younger sister, Haley, remained in the family home.

College Life and Academic Excellence

Timestamp: [00:00] – [01:50]

Despite the upheaval, Austin thrived academically. He excelled in high school, securing a place in all advanced classes and consistently ranking at the top. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, Austin was also an athlete, playing football throughout high school and wrestling during his sophomore year. Contrary to his imposing physique, Austin was notably non-aggressive. His coaches often criticized his lack of aggression, attempting to provoke him into more combative behavior—“He was just kind of a laid back guy who was actually much more interested in helping people than smashing them” ([00:00]).

Struggles with Mental Health

Timestamp: [02:53] – [38:31]

As Austin transitioned to college, the pressures intensified. Accepted into Florida State University's prestigious pre-med program in 2015, he initially appeared successful—maintaining excellent grades, developing a girlfriend, and gaining a following on social media through bodybuilding. However, beneath this façade, Austin was battling profound feelings of inadequacy and depression, as evidenced in his personal journal entries where he “wrote endlessly about how if he could just stop being so shy and be more assertive and outgoing, that more people would embrace him”.

Simultaneously, Austin began abusing substances—alcohol, marijuana, Vyvanse, hallucinogens like acid and mushrooms, and MDMA. These substances led him to oscillate between euphoric highs and debilitating lows, exacerbating his mental instability. His internet search history reflected his growing desperation, with queries like “I think I'm crazy” and “how to deal with Obsessive thoughts” ([02:53]).

Family Dynamics and Decline

Timestamp: [02:53] – [38:31]

Upon returning home after his first year in college, Austin's behavior took a drastic turn. He moved his bed to the garage, claiming the house was infested with demons, and began nocturnal patrols, loudly announcing his role as a guardian against these perceived threats. His family, initially attributing his actions to drug abuse, struggled to address his worsening condition. Despite interventions, Austin's behavior became increasingly erratic, culminating in his detention under the Baker Act for a 72-hour psychiatric evaluation.

However, before the family could secure help through the Baker Act, a horrific event unfolded on August 15. Austin exhibited bizarre and threatening behavior, first appearing at a friend's house and then meeting his group of friends at the beach. His erratic actions included threatening to kill anyone who called him crazy and ultimately revealing delusions of being half horse and immortal ([38:31]).

The Violent Attack

Timestamp: [02:53] – [38:31]

The night of the attack was marked by a series of inexplicable and violent actions by Austin:

• Initial Confrontation: Austin arrived at a restaurant to meet his father and father's girlfriend, behaving erratically by changing clothes multiple times and making bizarre statements about his immortality.
• Escape and Subsequent Attack: After leaving the restaurant, Austin returned home, where his mother found him consuming vegetable oil and parmesan cheese—indicative of severe mental distress. He was then driven back to the restaurant.
• Final Escalation: Shortly after, Austin violently attacked his mother, Michelle Mishkan, in the garage, killing her with blunt force trauma. He then assaulted John Stevens, Michelle’s husband, brutally mutilating his face in a savage display of violence.

Police Response and Intervention

Timestamp: [24:54] – [38:31]

When police officers Dan and Kristen arrived at the scene, they were met with a gruesome tableau:

• Immediate Response: Officer Kristen approached the garage, ready to confront Austin, while Officer Dan arrived amid chaos.
• Confrontation with Austin: As Austin attacked John Stevens with a knife, Dan attempted to subdue him using a Taser and physical force. Austin’s relentless aggression persisted despite multiple interventions, including the use of police canines.
• Final Restraint: After a protracted struggle marked by Austin’s frenzied attempts to continue his assault, Officer Dan successfully restrained him, but not before Austin inflicted severe injuries on Jeff Fisher, a neighbor who had intervened.

Tragically, both Michelle Mishkan and John Stevens succumbed to their injuries. Jeff Fisher survived, though heavily injured, and Austin was subsequently restrained and transported to the hospital ([24:54]).

Austin’s Trial and Psychological Evaluation

Timestamp: [38:31]

Post-attack, Austin's defense hinged on his mental state. Initial assumptions linked his actions to substance abuse, but toxicology reports revealed minimal THC levels with no other active substances, indicating he was effectively sober during the attack. Austin recounted a fragmented and incoherent version of events, describing a dark figure with a white face that triggered his violent response.

A comprehensive evaluation by forensic psychologist Philip Resnick challenged public skepticism. His 38-page report emphasized the nature of Austin’s actions—continuing to attack despite being shot, tased, and physically subdued—suggesting a psychotic state rather than drug-induced aggression. Resnick identified Austin’s condition as clinical lycanthropy, a rare delusional belief that one can transform into an animal, often a werewolf. Austin’s prior statements about being half horse or half dog, coupled with his animalistic grunting and savage behavior during the attack, reinforced this diagnosis.

Despite public doubt, Resnick's evaluation supported the notion that Austin was experiencing a true psychotic episode, lacking basic survival instincts to protect himself or cease his violent actions even under direct threats ([38:31]).

Legal Outcome and Aftermath

Timestamp: [38:31]

Ultimately, Austin Harrif was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2022. During an interview with Dr. Phil, Austin expressed remorse and acknowledged his need for help, though he maintained gaps in his memory of the events. His legal outcome reflects the complexities of mental health issues intersecting with the criminal justice system, particularly in cases involving rare psychological conditions like clinical lycanthropy.

The families of the victims remain deeply affected, grappling with grief and the brutal loss of their loved ones. Austin’s full recovery remains uncertain, as the trauma of his actions and the rarity of his condition pose significant challenges to both his psychological healing and societal reintegration.

Conclusion

This harrowing account on the MrBallen Podcast underscores the profound impact of untreated mental health issues and the rare manifestations of psychotic disorders like clinical lycanthropy. Austin Harrif’s tragic story serves as a stark reminder of the thin line between sanity and madness, and the dire consequences that can ensue when psychological support systems fail to intervene in time.

Notable Quotes

• Mr. Ballen: “He was just kind of a laid back guy who was actually much more interested in helping people than smashing them.” ([00:00])

• Austin Harrif: “I need to test out my immortality.” ([38:31])

• Police Officer Dan: “Hold on, I'm going to Tase him.” ([24:54])

• Austin Harrif: “Kill me. I'm eating humans. Kill me.” ([38:31])

• Forensic Psychologist Philip Resnick: “This suggests that Austin was truly in a psychotic state when this attack occurred.” ([38:31])

This detailed summary encapsulates the key elements and profound tragedies of Austin Harrif's story, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened to the episode.