Loading summary
Transcript169 lines
- [00:04]
Colin Brown
This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game, shifting a little money here, a little there, and hoping it all works out well. With the name your price tool from Progressive, you can be a better budgeter and potentially lower your insurance bill too. You tell Progressive what you want to pay for car insurance and they'll help you find options within your your budget. Try it today@progressive.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law not available in all states. And now let's get back to our show. You've heard the theories. You know the signs. But what if you encountered the First Contact? On October 31st, Focus Features presents Begonia, the new film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Two conspiracy theorists are convinced that a high powered CEO isn't just running a corporation, she's behind an elaborate operation to end the planet. Critics and audiences around the world are buzzing about Bugonia. It's wild, bloody and brilliant and a big screen spectacle. Jesse Plemons is an absolute force of nature and Emma Stone proves why she's one of the finest actors of her generation. The closer they get to the truth, the stranger it becomes. From Yorgos Lanthimos, director of Poor Things and the favorite comes the most provocative movie of the year. Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons star in Begonia. Rated R under 17 not admitted without parent in select theaters October 24th in theaters everywhere October 31st.
- [01:37]
Courtney Brown
Cooler days call for layers that last. And as you all know, Quint is my go to for quality essentials that feel cozy, look refined and won't blow your budget. Think $50 Mongolian cashmere premium denim that fits like a dream and luxe outerwear that you'll wear year after year. I was just scrolling on their website and I've been looking at their wool coats. They look designer level, but they cost a fraction of the price and the quality looks just as good, if not better. Something I love about quints is that they partner directly with top tier ethical factories and they cut out the middlemen, meaning they deliver luxury quality pieces at half the price of similar brands. And who doesn't love a good deal? It's the kind of wardrobe upgrade that feels smart, stylish and effortless. On my most recent quince order, I bought the Mongolian Cashmere boat neck sweater. I had gotten some Mongolian cashmere sweaters of theirs in the past, but I've never tried this specific style. But I loved it so much I had to go and buy several more colors and they're so perfect because they're just the best fall staple. You can dress them up, you can dress them down. I can literally plan out like 20 different outfits with my three sweaters of theirs. So I am just so excited to wear them this fall and I can't wait to hear what you guys are getting from them as well. Quints has become a one stop shop for me and Colin and I just always know that whatever it is we're buying from them, whether it's clothing, shoes, jewelry, bedding, it will never disappoint. It's always great quality, always cute, always and always affordable. So find your fall staples at quint. Go to qu.comamera for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns and they're now available in Canada too. That's Q U I n c e.com America to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Qu.comAmerica.
- [03:41]
Colin Brown
Warning the following podcast is not suitable for all audiences. We go into great detail with every case that we cover and do our best to bring viewers even deeper into the stories by utilizing disturbing audio and sound effects.
- [03:52]
Courtney Brown
Trigger warnings from the stories we cover may include violence, rape, murder, and offenses against children.
- [03:59]
Colin Brown
This podcast is not for everyone.
- [04:01]
Courtney Brown
You have been warned it all started with a scream. It was 9:15pm and Jeffrey Fisher was just getting ready to go to bed in his Tequesta, Florida home. But instantly he was startled awake. The scream had come from his neighbor's house, a beautiful home belonging to Michelle Michon and John Stevens, two loving and kind people who were the cornerstone of their neighborhood. Terrified that something had happened to them, Jeffrey quickly rushed across the street. But as he stepped closer to their house, it became clear that things were more wrong than he could have ever imagined. There was not just the sound of screaming, there was growling, inhuman, disturbing noises that made his skin crawl. When he rounded the corner into the garage, he discovered where those noises were coming from. It was a young man he had never seen before, and he was hunched over Michelle, who laid on the floor in a pool of blood. The man turned to Jeffrey, his eyes dark and lifeless, and he hissed at him. You don't want this. You don't want to be a part of this. Jeffrey had no time to respond before the man was rushing at him, slashing at him with a knife, slicing open his skin and cutting a large wound in his stomach. By the time Jeffrey managed to escape and call 911, things had somehow only escalated, because when the Martin County Sheriff's Office responded to the garage 15 minutes later, nothing could have prepared them for what they saw. Austin Haruf, a 19 year old college student, was now hunched over John Stevens body and he ignored the police as he pulled out John's cheek, exposing the soft flesh and took bites out of it, swallowing the man's skin. What unraveled next was something truly out of a horror movie. The police deployed their tasers. They used physical force and even pepper spray trying to get Austin off John's body. But it was no use. He was locked on like a predator on his prey. And behind his eyes, all of his humanity was gone. There was never any doubt who killed Michelle and John. But to this day, doubt remains about how and why this heinous crime was committed. It's a crime that offers an unflinching look at the mental health crisis in our country, at bright red flashing signs that were missed, and ultimately at the love of two families on very different sides of the same problem. So this is the story of Michelle Michon and John Stevens. Courtney I'm Courtney Brown.
- [06:52]
Colin Brown
And I'm Colin Browen and you're listening.
- [06:55]
Courtney Brown
To Murder in America.
- [07:17]
Interviewer / Reporter
SAM.
- [07:59]
Colin Brown
Tequesta, Florida, a village in Palm beach county just north of the city of Jupiter, is a little slice of paradise to many. Once the beloved territory of the Tequesta tribe, it an area of abundance. Located at the mouth of the Miami river at the edge of the ocean, the area is flush with fish of all kinds in the tropical waters, fruit year round and fair, warm days with an ocean breeze. Over time, first nearby tribes, then colonizers flocked to the area, creating homes for themselves beneath the palms. By the 1900s, a country club stood out as the town's symbol of luxury and eventually the town evolved into a quiet residential community. As opposed to many communities in southern Florida, it has a small town feel. There are plenty of activities, all based around the area's natural parks, sparkling coastlines and coastal reserves perfect for boating, fishing, kayaking, and enjoying all the beauty the area has to offer. The village's official website describes it as a perfect place to call home. The streets and neighborhoods of Tequesta are clean, family friendly, and almost everyone knows their neighbors by name. The weather's great, the shopping and services are phenomenal, and the village offers a perfect blend of relaxed coastal vibes with convenient access to bigger cities. It's the kind of town where families can raise their kids with all the luxury that cities have to offer, but with the safety of a small community. Unfortunately, though, that safety was threatened on August 15, 2016, a day that served as a chilling reminder that even the quaintest communities are not immune to tragedy. It's a crime that was months, if not years in the making, an unraveling of mental health that began with a seemingly perfect family and ended with the complete destruction of another Austin Kelly Haruff.
- [09:47]
Courtney Brown
Was born on December 21, 1996 to Wade and Mina Haruf in Palm Beach Gardens, and by all accounts, including his own, he had a great upbringing. Both of his parents worked in the medical field, with his father Wade owning a practice as a dentist and his mother working as a pharmacist. Their income gave Austin an upper middle class upbringing. They raised him in a gorgeous home nestled right along the coast, along with his younger sister Haley, who he was incredibly close with. They were wealthy, stable and by all accounts relatively happy. But just like any family, they also had their cracks. Austin described his father as different, kind of loud and a redneck. He acknowledged that his dad was kind and funny, but at times he had a temper that was hard to contend with and by that same token, the family had high expectations in a set plan they seemed to expect their children to follow. Growing up, Wade urged Austin to go fishing with him, hiking and hunting, all activities that Austin has since stated he wasn't interested in. His mother, Mina, had similar expectations of how Austin should behave. She was reportedly adamant about chores and very strict on punishment. Now, that being said, this is all coming from Austin's perspective in statements as an adult, but overall he said that both of his parents were kind, loving people and that his mom in particular was extremely motherly.
- [11:30]
Colin Brown
Growing up, Austin was a typical kid and like all kids he had his fair share of struggles as he grew into an adult. During his elementary and middle school years, he gained weight, struggled with acne all over his body, and as a result he claims to have experienced bullying. The bullying made him extremely self conscious and reserved, so as he reached high school, he decided to transform his body through diet and physical activity. He was not only dedicated to his fitness, but his education and mental improvement as well. Teachers described him as polite, quiet and well mannered. His grades at Suncoast Community High School in Riviera beach were above average. He never received a grade lower than a C and he managed to maintain a 3.3 GPA. In addition, he was athletic, wrestling and playing defense for the Suncoast Chargers football team. His experience on the team and in the gym allowed him to slowly come out of his shell and develop a good core group of friends in spite of the pressures of being a teen boy and the bullying he had previously experienced. He maintained a gentle, kind energy about him. One of his teammates, Josh Lonsbury, told the Tallahassee Democrat that Austin had had a hard time getting physical on the football field. He admitted, we used to have to ask him during games to just get angry and more physical. We used to have to beg him and he never would. He just always had a smile on his face. That's just the type of kid he was. And when you look at what was going on in his life at home, that becomes even more surprising. In 2010, his parents, Wade and Mina, divorced. The separation was by all accounts amicable, but it seemed to have had a profound effect on the family because soon afterwards, Wade was arrested and charged with two DUIs, once in Juno beach in 2011 and another time in Lantana in 2012. Wade also struggled with some legal issues. Around this time, the State of Florida Board of Dentistry disciplined him four times for misdiagnosing his patients, including at least one case involving unnecessary procedures. Though all the statements from the family describe that all was well at home, these legal troubles do paint a picture of struggles and unhappiness behind closed doors.
- [13:38]
Courtney Brown
However, it appears that everyone remained close throughout their struggles. His dad actually purchased a home in the same neighborhood as Austin's childhood home where his mother lived. This allowed Hailey and Austin to maintain a close relationship with both of their parents in spite of their separation. And perhaps this dual support from his parents is part of the reason why Austin was able to continue flourishing throughout high school. During his junior year, he started dieting to lose more weight, something he said he did so he could have a good body and look cool. He also began to hit the books even harder than the gym. He participated in a rigorous academic track that offered college level classes, allowing students to earn college credits before graduation. He also took advanced courses in chemistry, statistics, biology, art, and math analysis. But his absolute favorite subject was science. In an updated journal entry, Austin wrote why he believed science was the best, stating, because it never stops, even though I may not be great at it. Yet another subject he loved was art. According to school records, Austin received A's in all of his advanced art courses, and at one point he even told his mother that he could earn a living writing music. In January of 2014, Austin wrote in his journal, quote, I also see myself as creative. I love imagining anything, end quote. Now, both Wade and Mina were extremely proud of their son, and they believed he would go far in life. Wade would later tell Dr. Phil that his son was, quote, an extremely nice, gentle person who cared a lot about people. End quote on January 6, 2014, not long before his high school graduation, Austin wrote a piece titled Self Identity Investigation for one of his high school classes. And he reflected on his personality, saying, the way I see myself may or may not be different from the way others see me. I view myself as happy, shy, nice, positive, and I never give up. I view myself as happy because usually I have very few things to feel sad or depressed about, end quote. But the one thing he did want to change about himself was his shyness in his writing. He continued saying, quote, one of the main things I dislike about myself is that I am shy and I want to be more confident and assertive. I am not that shy around my close friends because after I get to know someone, I'll start to open up more towards them. End quote he finished the piece by saying he was nice and enjoyed going out of his way to help people. He also claimed that he never gave up when it came to his goals, and he tended to push himself harder and especially when it came to schoolwork.
- [16:44]
Colin Brown
During the fall semester of 2015, Austin started attending Florida State University, where he studied exercise science. Although he had originally intended to study biology on a pre med track, he changed his mind and wanted to focus on becoming a dietitian. Always a gifted athlete, Austin had aspirations of pursuing a future in sports. He also rushed and joined the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, but did not live at the frat house located at Heritage Grove. During his freshman year, he maintained a 3.2 GPA and had no disciplinary record. By all accounts, Austin was a typical college student with a promising future. But as the months went on, Austin started exhibiting bizarre, erratic behavior. In fact, According to the TCPalm, Austin's father, Wade, stated that there was mental illness in the family. He later told Dr. Philip Reznik, a forensic psychiatrist at the University Hospitals of Cleveland and Ohio, that he himself had experienced two severe bouts of depression and had been previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder. For this diagnosis, he had two medications prescribed to ease his symptoms. In addition, Austin's grandfather suffered from alcoholism and one of his aunts had been treated with electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression. There was also a history of schizophrenia. But despite the family history of mental illness, Austin had never exhibited any abnormal behavior, at least not until he entered Florida State University. But sadly, this isn't abnormal. For men who are predisposed to mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, mood disorders, or psychotic disorders, symptoms most commonly show up between the ages of 18 and 25. Scientists suggest that these symptoms may be exacerbated by the stress of entering adulthood. However, something else that exacerbates the symptoms of mental illness are of course, substances. Exposure to marijuana, party drugs and alcohol is linked to a decrease in mental well being, and it can actually trigger psychotic episodes. At the same time, mental illness creates a vicious cycle when it comes to drinking and doing substances. Drugs and alcohol make symptoms of mental illness worse, but mental illness also makes people predisposed to drinking and doing drugs as a way of coping with their symptoms.
- [18:57]
Courtney Brown
Austin was one of these people caught in this vicious cycle. And not only did he enter a whole new world when he began college, but he did what many college students do. He experimented with drugs and alcohol. He drank frequently with his frat brothers. He used a variety of drugs, including Xanax, mushrooms, and painkillers. In a text message to a friend around this time, he claimed that he blacked out, quote, about three times a week, which is very excessive even for a college student. Now, whether he was drinking because of his mental health struggles or his drinking was just making his small symptoms worse, we'll never know. But what we do know is that heading into 2016, his sophomore year of college, Austin began to exhibit concerning behavior. Under the alias A Frost she, short for Austy Frosty, Austin began posting bizarre and unsettling YouTube videos. At first he took on the alias of a country singer. Then it transformed into wanting to be a rapper. Here is a short clip from a video he posted in July of 2016.
- [20:12]
Interviewer / Reporter
Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Howdy, howdy, Saucey Frosty. About to do the COVID Tim McGraw live like you were dying. Yup, that's all I gotta say. Except for got this Tennessee Hennessy right next to me Sipping slow, got flow. Just kidding. It's water, baby, it's water. I don't do drugs. All right, you ready? Let's do it.
- [20:43]
Colin Brown
Now, look, we've all goofed around on videos for friends, so this in itself wasn't a huge cause for concern. What was, however, was the fact that Austin started to take on multiple Personas, each talking with a distinct odd accent. Doing a southern drawl accent for a country song cover isn't strange. However, paired with a handful of other accents in his other videos seems to be a cause for concern. It's worth noting that a rare symptom of psychosis is foreign accent syndrome, where someone begins to speak in accents that are not their own. Often they're unaware that they're doing it, but it's constant with the person sometimes switching from accent to accent and is usually inappropriate for the situation sufferers find themselves in. On a more personal note, a member of our team is close friends with someone who had this as a symptom. For weeks leading up to their psychotic break, they spoke in a British accent. When our team member asked why they were talking with an accent, the person stated that they weren't. This accent carried with them into important meetings, calls home to family, and in just about every aspect of life with the person completely unaware that they were doing it. It's a symptom we felt was important to point out, as it's not widely known and it can serve as a precursor to more serious symptoms.
- [21:56]
Courtney Brown
But that was just one of Austin's many symptoms. At the same time, his friends and family reported that he had a hard time falling asleep, often going days without rest, and that he began to have odd obsessions with wanting to help people. He was usually a jokester, someone who liked to make people laugh. But day by day, Austin seemed to be unraveling. One of his closest friends at fsu, David Yates, would later tell the Sun Sentinel, for people who don't know him, he seems kind of really odd to begin with. But there was a distinct shift in his personality. His comments became increasingly paranoid and bizarre. David stated that Austin started smoking marijuana to help him go to sleep at night, but that he believed he often quit and then restarted the drug at the same time. Austin rapidly switched interest and obsessions. One minute he was obsessed with fitness and swore off all drugs, then the next he was using drugs again and wanting to be a rap God. His obsession cycled almost daily, ranging from Christianity to Buddhism, with him fully immersing himself in each new belief. In between his rapping videos, changing up his obsession of the week, Austin started posting videos of bodybuilding, claiming he wanted to be a professional bodybuilder. Here are just a few examples of his videos.
- [23:28]
Interviewer / Reporter
What's up guys? Pulling a little Jason Genova driving while talking, but that's alright. Anyway, I'm gonna talk to you about why I don't do steroids. And the reason is I don't want to. You know, I don't feel like. I don't feel like it'd be beneficial for me to do steroids, you know, it just wouldn't because it damages my health. I feel like I have to depend on it every day. That's a life not worth living for me. You know, I figure it like this. Why not just be comfortable being lean looking and being healthy? That's what makes me satisfied. I'm not saying that steroids are bad. If you want to do them, go right ahead, man, but I'm just saying this appropriate. Appreciate your fitness, your muscles. Stay, stay at it, man. Stay at it. Nutrition. Air thine, bruh. Air thine. Just do it, bruh. It's, it's sick. It piss. Pulling a little Genova, you know what I'm saying? But yeah.
- [24:46]
Colin Brown
Hello bros. It's Austy, frosty, man.
- [24:49]
Interviewer / Reporter
And today I want to tell you about personal trainers and why you should be cautious when following a personal trainer. First off, a personal trainer doesn't have the same body as you. That's the first point, okay? Personal trainers are themselves and they found out what worked for them, they went through the trial and error, they did their research and, and a lot of.
- [25:19]
Colin Brown
Them don't even look good, man. That's the funny part, man.
- [25:22]
Interviewer / Reporter
You gotta fall.
- [25:23]
Colin Brown
You gotta listen to the personal trainers advice. But you gotta, you gotta find your way too, man.
- [25:30]
Interviewer / Reporter
You gotta, you gotta learn for yourself. You can't, you can't just hope and pray that someone is just gonna give you all the resources that you need because it's just not gonna happen, man. You know? So yeah, just be cautious when using a personal trainer and keep at it. Stay gold, stay muscular. Quick video. Get hosed, get money, get bitches, get sloots. Fly planes, run train. I'm a main. What's up guys? I just want to let you know that I came to a realization of something. I no longer want to follow Arnold or any other bodybuilder. I want to follow myself.
- [26:24]
Colin Brown
You know, all the videos you've just heard were uploaded within a month of each other and each one was stranger than the last. One user even commented that it appeared he was playing a different character in all of his content. In a video uploaded on August 4, 2016, Austin described to and showed his followers how to do a bodybuilding vacuum pose using a British accent.
- [26:45]
Interviewer / Reporter
Alright, ladies and gentlemen, today's video is about doing the vacuum pose. Alright? Now this is a pose many can't do. It's. It's hard if, if you're not like skilled with breathing, you have to practice on your breathing, okay? Sorry if you can't see my face. It's right here now, but I'll show you, all right?
- [27:14]
Colin Brown
In another video, he adopted a Russian style accent where he spoke about the importance of persistence.
- [27:20]
Interviewer / Reporter
Hello fellow lifters. Today I'm going to talk about persistence in weightlifting. This is very important because without persistence you don't have anything. Okay? You've got to just stick it out, take your time and learn the mechanics of lifting weights in order to truly understand, to truly obtain your goals. You know what I'm saying? Like, there's a lot of people who just start and quit when they're lifting weights. I mean, it goes with anything in life. You just start and quit. You're never going to, you're never going to finish, you know, you're never going to get the results you want because you just quit.
- [28:08]
Colin Brown
Sprinkled between these odd videos were videos where Austin focused his attention on writing and performing rap songs. He believed that he could become rich as a rapper and would stay up all night obsessing over lyrics. Under a series of videos titled Frosty for President and Make Trap Great Again, Austin rapped to various beats about murder, cannibalism, drugs, and other completely random themes. His mother Mina stated that the poems and songs were disgusting, and upon seeing them uploaded, she urged her son to take them down. But it seems like he never did. On his cell phone, he often wrote notes with rap lyrics. In July, he wrote I sipped drank on a Sunday I smoke weed on a Monday I get money every day I'm getting faded with my BAE and I just took me a little Molly. While the songs showcased Austin's sense of humor, at least from what his friends saw, there was also something completely unsettling about the content, especially knowing what was to come. Was he slowly losing his grip on reality?
- [29:08]
Interviewer / Reporter
There's a new sheriff in town his name is Osteoarth Frosty baby he's gonna make you real mad Fucking hit your.
- [29:21]
Colin Brown
Dad.
- [29:24]
Interviewer / Reporter
Pull his past down a raven Cut his pubes off and shape him like a hedgehog There's a loose chef in town and over the town crown There's a new sheriff in town and over the gold crown down from the west Texas town chest I'm like Jesse J have the gun right I shoot all the other outlaws cause they stole my coleslaw After I hand their line I fuck the fat white that tire up like a hog Roll her down the track like a log the train comes with a whistle too too she explodes and shoots goo goo it ain't nothing I go horse for luck is my home There's a new shirts in town Always running from the law Terror's talking shit blah blah blah Kick him in his go n scalp his wife and his grand granddad Shove him in a brown bag Sheriff cries nag I smack him with a bag and call him fag and put my sack on top of his New sheriff in town he's gonna eat you and make you frown There's a new sheriff town he's gonna eat you with his hound There's a new sheriff in town he's gonna eat you and make you frown There's a new sheriff in town he's gonna eat you with his hound There's a hobo on the street corner and he's says real talk, home boy I said to him suck my choke and then I go back to real talk, homeboy Real talk, homeboy Real talk, homeboy There's a thin line between love and hate I love to be myself and masturbate I'd die for a whore but she'd live for me Bitch, what the fuck are you talking mouthlessly? Gotti Glocky.
- [32:37]
Colin Brown
Ladies and gentlemen, this is.
- [32:38]
Interviewer / Reporter
Music Television and we are presenting Austy Frosty. The band is called the Frost Fleet. And for the vocals, we've got Austi Frosty in this corner. For the guitar, we've got Austi Frosty in the left. For the bass, we've got Austy Frosty on the right. And behind on the drums is Austy Frosty. They will be performing high standards.
- [33:05]
Colin Brown
Thank you. I am high.
- [33:10]
Interviewer / Reporter
Right now, but my standards are higher. I'm too sober right now. Baby, just pass me that lighter. I said I'm high.
- [33:48]
Courtney Brown
In addition to the bizarre rap songs, Austin's Google searches in the months, weeks and days leading up to the murders revealed a deeper insight into into his mind. He searched, quote, common traits of great people. I want something so bad it hurts. How do I know I'm not crazy. He also searched things related to hallucinations, demonic possession, sleep deprivation, and hearing voices. Other searches included selling your soul to the devil, tree of knowledge of good and evil, auditory hallucinations when falling asleep, and difference between mania and peacefulness. His mother, Mina, would later tell investigators that Austin's best friend Alex had mentioned to her that Austin told him that the devil spoke to him. Other cell phone records indicated that he often spoke to his friends through text message about drugs and getting together with them to smoke marijuana. He referenced a lot of drugs, including molly, weed, Vyvanse, shrooms, cocaine, prescription pills, codeine, Adderall, and heroin. He often bragged to his friends about blacking out. And in the weeks leading up to the murders, his father found a bag of shrooms in Austin's bedroom. He confronted his son. Austin reportedly threw away the drugs and eventually swore them off altogether. On August 11, 2016, Austin texted his mother and said, quote, I quit Doing every drug. I realize I'm better when I don't smoke. I realize my partying is enjoying the company of other people, being sober, end quote. A few minutes later, Mina responded, I'm very proud of you. I know you know that. And whatever life brings your way, I support you, end quote. To her, it seemed like Austin's odd phase was coming to an end. The drugs were going to the wayside, and he seemed to be eager to embark on a bright future.
- [35:57]
Colin Brown
Even Austin's friends stated that they all believed he was completely sober. He believed that his drug use was contributing to his mental health decline and sent a text message to a friend saying, I thought I was crazy, but really not. I just know that for me personally, the drugs are taking a toll on me and I can't handle. But in the quiet of his room, the bizarre searches continued, and he started researching Jesus, Gandhi and Krishna. At one point, he believed he could become the next Martin Luther King Jr. Acting as a mediator to help solve the world's problems. Austin even changed his cell phone background to a picture of Gandhi. Around the same time, he wrote a journal entry that read, I know that one day my day will come. God will tell me when that is not Lucifer. I'm coming up for a new term for God. The unknown. It's what Satan is. It's the unknown. I have to learn from my origins. Do not be a hypocrite to help right here, right now, to give more than I take. I don't want to be worshipped, but I know that I will be. My powers, my feeling, my deep sympathy. I've been running from it all along. I know that before I die, I must have children. I must leave my mark. I know that they won't be perfect. No one is. While working at one of his father's friend's dental practices, Florida Atlantic Dental, during his summer break, Austin started to take his breaks outside with homeless people. He talked to them about religion and Jesus. But it wasn't just homeless strangers that he spoke to. It was also patients at the practice. While he worked on their teeth, he would often prattle on about his beliefs of the weak, leaving the patients uncomfortable. But for Austin, in his struggling brain, he was being empowering. Many days, he came home and told his family his new beliefs. When questioned by his father, Austin sometimes broke down crying, feeling criticized and misunderstood.
- [37:40]
Courtney Brown
When Austin came back from visiting his girlfriend in Tampa on August 7, his co workers noticed that he appeared more withdrawn. He also started conversing more with the patients, something that made them Noticeably uncomfortable, he told the patient coordinator at his job that he could, quote, see things that others could not. End quote. Austin started dressing in light colored clothing as he thought it would bring him closer to Jesus. He also thought that darkness was associated with evil entities. So he avoided dark colored clothing and refused to turn off the lights at night. And one point of his obsessions was his black Kia Soul. Austin believed that the color of the car was a magnet for evil energy, attracting darkness and ill will from the devil. In order to fight this imaginary evil, he purchased a white Don't Tread on me bumper sticker and he placed it on the roof of his car. And I think this offers a great example of the strength of his delusions. To us, that makes no sense. But in Austin's mind, a political sticker was all he needed to fight the devil. As the weeks progressed, Austin's fear of the devil and demons progressed as well. And as the weeks went on, Austin's fear of the devil and demons got worse. He became consumed with fear that he would be killed in his sleep by a demon at work. He started having bizarre delusions about the water used to sterilize dental instruments. Believing he could manipulate the water and that it gave him energy. He sent a text message to a friend saying, why the fuck just not do what you want? Just do the craziest shit you can. I just want to be great before I die.
- [39:35]
Colin Brown
Austin started to believe that he had superhuman powers, compared himself to Jesus Christ, and thought there were evil forces inside his house. In fact, in the days before the murders, Austin purchased a knife at a gun show to use for protection and and started sleeping near his sister Hayley so he would be able to protect her. Apparently, Austin eventually moved his bed into the garage to escape the demons inside the house. He claimed to see dark shadow figures in the corners of his home and feared that the devil was out to get him. Text messages exchanged between Austin and his girlfriend, Katie Alexander, also gave a glimpse into his bizarre behavior. On Friday, August 12, 2016, he texted, I'm sorry you think I'm so strange now, but I guess I'm following the purpose of my life. It's to give people life, to give people hope. Later that same day, he wrote, I am no longer afraid of anything. I'm no longer afraid to die. Everyone will remember me as a great figure, but I'm just a living example of what we all do. True hell is trying to live forever. I'm just doing what I feel now. On Monday, August 15, he wrote, Bitch. And then a Few minutes later, texted, just kidding, babe. Katie noticed a shift in behavior, something that wasn't there when he visited her in Tampa on August 4th. At least during his visit, he had been his usual goofy self. She confronted him on FaceTime, saying, you're scaring me. Are you okay? She then got upset and began to cry. Austin, cold and removed in his response, told her nonsensically, I was born in December. I want to leave a good memory on earth.
- [41:06]
Courtney Brown
Hayley Haruff stated that on the afternoon of August 14, 2016, Austin admitted to her that he believed he was, quote, half man, half dog. And his reasoning was because he could run, quote, super fast. Haley also said that he wanted to sit in the bushes when they visited one of Austin's frat buddies, David Yates. Austin said he wanted to, quote, be one with the animals. When the two drove around. Austin opted to sit in the backseat because that's where the dog sat. Haley would later tell investigators that Austin, quote, made me uneasy because he was just being a different person, end quote. And she even suggested that Austin get professional help. Austin appeared to be interested, but it would be too late. Later on, Haley confided in her parents about his odd behavior, telling them all about how she had begun to sleep with her door locked because she was afraid of her older brother. During a 2018 interview with Dr. Phil, Austin's father, Wade, stated that he had consulted a psychologist for his son. Mina's fiance, Larry Bud Malo, also admitted that his entire family had sat down and suggested a 72 hour mental health hold under Florida's Baker Act. But unfortunately, this would never happen now. On the morning of August 15, 2016, Austin confided in his younger sister and another friend that he believed he was immortal. And this time, he identified himself as half human, half horse. Later that same morning, he Googled five tips to end insomnia and get restful sleep. What is the weakest thing about a Centaur? Sagittarius, Daily horoscope, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ferrari. Later on, he searched Medusa, Fitbit setup and blade lighting. He also wrote himself a note that read, try to be as normal as you can be. What goes up must come down. That doesn't mean fulfill any specific role yet. I still have time. I wish to be normal, just a normal guy. Not too nice, not too mean. I can still run because I can't be tamed. I can do whatever I want. I just know it has consequences. I was called the silent killer for a reason. I can't go around talking to random people. End Quote, A few hours later, he wrote another note that read, syntaur, you are awoken. Don't let them kill you. End quote.
- [43:51]
Colin Brown
Austin seriously believed that he was half man, half dog, or half man, half horse, depending on the moment. And because Austin believed he was immortal and invisible, he attempted to walk in front of a moving car and blew through a U turn red light. His father also stated that the two went for a walk and Austin pulled out his knife when he saw two empty turtle shells, telling his father that something bad was going to happen. For Austin, the shells represented an evil entity and he feared that his father was going to die. Luckily, Wade was able to convince Austin to put his knife away.
- [44:24]
Interviewer / Reporter
We were walking through the woods for about two or three hours and Austin would be happy. Then he'd be quiet and.
- [44:41]
Colin Brown
All of.
- [44:41]
Interviewer / Reporter
A sudden I saw, look, look, there's a portora shell that's it's empty and there's another one. He goes, stop everybody.
- [44:49]
Colin Brown
And he gets his knife and it's about this long.
- [44:52]
Interviewer / Reporter
He says, stay behind me. I feel something is going to happen here. I said, put that damn thing back up. What the hell is wrong with you? And he did.
- [45:01]
Colin Brown
Mina said she had an interaction with Austin earlier in the day. Around 9:30am he texted her saying, listen, no matter what I say to you, no, I'm protecting you even when you think I'm evil. Nice guys finish last. Mina asked him what he meant and he responded, fuck off. Mina was concerned and called her ex husband, Wade. Wade told her that Austin was with him and was fixing the XM radio on the boat. As a result, when it was time to leave, Wade refused to give Austin the keys to his car. This enraged Austin, who usually wasn't the type to fight. He ended up jumping on the hood, acting erratic and aggressive, screaming that he would not be controlled. Wade claimed he eventually gave in and allowed Austin to leave, unsure of how to deal with his son's outburst. Later that evening on August 15, 2016, Austin, his younger sister Hailey, a friend named Sam Polachek, Austin's father, Wade, and Wade's girlfriend Carrie all went out to dinner at Duffy's Sports Grill in Jupiter.
- [45:59]
Interviewer / Reporter
Austin.
- [45:59]
Colin Brown
At first, everything appeared normal as the family waited for their food. Austin asked for iced tea and chili. But suddenly Austin's erratic behavior returned and he became agitated when the service was too slow. He later admitted that he felt he was the angel of Death and that he had been followed by the Grim Reaper.
- [46:17]
Courtney Brown
Terrified, Austin stood to his feet and abruptly left the restaurant, walking to his mother's house. Without uttering a word to anyone, Mina allowed Austin to come into the home. And as she continued making dinner, she turned around to see a horrific sight. Her son, with an animalistic look in his eye, was chugging a bottle of vegetable oil. In between the gulps of oil, he shoved parmesan cheese in his mouth. The cheese stuck to the slick oil, which not only coated his throat, but but his entire torso. Mina snapped at her son, asking what was wrong with him. She told him to go upstairs and change out of his oil slicked clothes. And unsure what to do with him, Mina drove him back to Duffy's, the restaurant he was at with his father, and dropped him off. But once there, things quickly unraveled even more.
- [47:16]
Interviewer / Reporter
He comes, sits down. I said I knew it was going to be on tape today, so I said, what the hell are you doing? And he didn't say nothing. So I grabbed him by the collar and I said, what the hell are you doing? And he goes. And my girlfriend says, austin, adult. And he looks at my girlfriend, embarrassed, leaves. Okay, so Jesus, did he seem agitated or you just seem weird? When? When you grabbed his shirt, it seemed weird. Okay. Did he get agitated after you grabbed his shirt? Yeah.
- [47:55]
Colin Brown
After the altercation, Austin stormed out of the restaurant for a second time, leaving his family in shock. Haley, a witness to this horrible interaction, stated that Austin's behavior that entire day had been aggressive. A cell phone video she had taken that day showed Austin saying, I almost killed myself. I saw all the sorrow that people have. I've become almost immortal. I have to die one day. Are you ready to have your mind blown? I want you now to imagine that in front of you was a locked door symbolizing all that you know, everything you've been taught in your time on Earth, the lies your government has fed you. With my podcast, the Conspiracy Files, I now give you the door's key. And once you've listened to the show, you finally unlock this door and step inside. Beyond the door is another dimension, a dimension of false narratives, a dimension of hidden evidence, a dimension of truth, lies and murders. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance, of deadly secrets and explosive ideas. You've just crossed over into the conspiracy zone. I'm your host, Colin Brown. Join me now on this journey into the world of secret pedophile rings, government coverups, and suspicious suicides on my new show, the Conspiracy Files, available now on all streaming platforms.
- [49:12]
Courtney Brown
Now. Once his mother, Mina, was back at home, her cell phone rang. It was her daughter Haley, calling in A panic. She said that Austin had left the restaurant once again and that they needed to find him because something was very, very wrong. Mina eventually called one of her friends who whose husband worked for the Martin County Sheriff's Office and they both agreed that it would be best to call 911.
- [49:37]
Interviewer / Reporter
Police department lunch recorded assisty Yes, I need to. I don't know how to do this. My son, he's kind of taken off and I'm concerned about his own safety. Something a little strange. 19. Does he live. Does he live with you? Yes. What do you mean acting strange? I. It seems like he's a little delusional or like he's acting like. Do you have a history of that or anything? No, this is just like recent change and that we're noticing. And he was out to dinner with his dad today and he took off and we just, you know, he was with his sister and he says, you know, he feels immortal and like a superhero. So I'm just. I don't know what's going on with him. Do you know if he's been taking any drugs or anything like that? Nothing I've asked and nothing recent. Right. That I know of. So did he leave the house or did he leave from the restaurant? Where's he last seen it? The restaurant which Duffy to that by i95. And what city though we dispatched for 5 Jupiter. I'm sorry, hold on. You know he wants to help everybody. Yeah, Headache. Well, last scene was going towards island way towards like going towards north. North or Church Street? How long ago was there a study left? I want to say 10 o'. Clock. It's not 9:30. Have you left on foot? Nobody? Yes, he had no ID on him, his no phone. And where are you at, ma'? Am? I'm at home, you know and I have will say I think the only thing he has on him is a pocket knife switchblade. Is that. Where is that your. Your home? Is that in West Jupiter or that in the shore? And it's locked. L O F T Is it L O F T Lo F ma'. Am. Lost. Okay. Lost Lake way. Okay, Right. And your name, ma'? Am? Mina Haro. What's your callback number? And he's never done this before. I mean this is like something new. No, this is just. I mean his friends. I'm calling all his friends and they're like. It's just he's changed. Okay, is he white, black or Hispanic male? He's white. He's got brownish brown hair. Brown, light brown hair. He's wearing white shorts and he had a blue polo on if he's wearing it and a red hat. Make America great again. Okay, what's his name? Austin. Middle name or initial K. Spell the last name for me. H A r r o uff, like drink. Latest date of birth 1221 96. All right, I'll get an option by that can speak to you and see if they're gonna put out a missing person's alert or what they want to do with it. Do you have no idea where he might have went or anything? I have no clue. Okay, does he have any weapons that own or anything like that that he would have on him or anything? Pocket knife or anything like that? Yeah, I said he had a pocket knife, like switchblade type pocket knife. I don't know. Okay. I think that's the only thing he has on up. Okay, yeah, turn on in the other way. You said you left towards island way and that was around 10 o'. Clock. I want to say 9:30, 10. Yeah. Okay. All right, I'll get to my buy there for you. Okay.
- [54:35]
Colin Brown
No one knew what a risk Austin really posed because as his mother spoke with 911, a horrible crime of his making began to unravel. Back on Southeast Kokomo Lane, in the same neighborhood where Austin's father lived, 59 year old John Joseph Stevens III and his wife of 19 years, 53 year old Michelle Karen Mishkin, were relaxing in the garage of their home after a life of adventure. The two had been lucky to find one another and were celebrating the fruits of their Labor. Born in 1963, Michelle had grown up in North Miami beach and was the oldest of five children. Her father, Jeffrey, had served as mayor of The City from 1989 to 2005. She graduated from North Miami Beach Senior high school in 1981 and went on to attend Florida State University. One of her lifelong friends, Barbara Kramer, admitted that everyone was drawn to Michelle. She was friendly, popular and outgoing. The Mishkan family was extremely close, but unfortunately, dramatically. Tragedy struck in 1997 when Michelle's mother suddenly died of a heart attack. It was later determined that a popular weight loss pill, fen phen, was the cause of the heart attack. It was devastating for Michelle, her father Jeffrey and her siblings. Her mother was just 53 years old at the time, the same age Michelle would be when her own life was taken. During her 15 year tenure at Northwestern Mutual Striano Financial Group, Michelle was loved by all of her colleagues. The managing partner of the firm stated she cared deeply for everyone. She did her job incredibly. She was instrumental in the growth of the firm. In addition to her outstanding work, Michelle also contributed to several charitable causes. When one of her coworker's mothers was diagnosed with lung cancer, Michelle formed a team to join the American Lung Association's Fight for Air Climb in Miami. She was the kind of person who always put others before herself. In the late 1990s, while working at Prudential securities, she met John Stevens III, a divorced father of two. Born on July 2, 1957, John Stevens III was raised in South Miami Dade and attended Miami Killian High School throughout his life. John was athletic and served in the United States Air Force. He was a family man and a proud father of two children from a previous marriage. According to his son John, his father was more an old soul. He enjoyed reading the newspaper every day and liked to drive around reminiscing about his childhood days, his son told the Miami Herald. He grew up reading the newspaper and still did. Every day he would drive around Miami and tell you about how this used to be a field or how that used to be something else. Overall, his main thing was kindness. He would always tell me, whatever you do in life, if you're kind to people, you'll be successful. I can tell you my dad was very successful. When the two met, they decided to relish in those successes together. John's son told the Miami Herald. They met there and just loved each other. Their relationship was just so solid and never in question. Michelle loved me and my sister as if we were her own. The couple eloped in Maine in 1997 and all of their neighbors agreed that John and Michelle were the ideal couple. They enjoyed riding around on their golf cart with their dog, Rebel. They were kind, they were fun and always kept their garage door open for anyone who wanted to come hang out. In a lot of ways, they were the heart of the neighborhood, always having fresh cooked meals and good conversation for anyone who needed it. In fact, the couple had turned their garage into a sort of entertainment space, equipped with three couches, a flat screen television, a dartboard barbecue grill and an ice maker. Amy Laurie, who had lived in the neighborhood since 2003, told the Tallahassee Democrat. If there was something going on, there would be John and Michelle waving from their garage, watching the game or having fun. They hang out in their garage and watch the dogs and talk to the neighbors. By 2016, the couple was retired and enjoying their time together. For several years, John had owned and operated several landscaping businesses, including John on the Green Incorporated and Greensmart Lawn and Garden. As for Michelle, she had worked for several years in the financial industry at Northwestern Mutual Striano Financial Group in Boca Raton. John and Michelle always encouraged their neighbors to drop by, especially if their garage Mahal was open. And more times than not, it was. John's son also said it wasn't classy, but it was a gathering place. That garage always brought people together. In fact, John had even thrown a bachelor party for his son's best friend in the garage. Now, at the age of 59, John retired after a successful career in the landscaping business. He was now free to do all the things he loved, but his absolute favorite was spending each day fishing and lobstering with his beloved wife Michelle. Around 5pm every evening, the couple would wind down with cocktail hour and watch the sunset together. John's son had moved away to Kansas where he started a family. He and his wife had recently welcomed a baby daughter and they were making plans to visit John and Michelle in Florida. John III was ecstatic to finally meet his three month old granddaughter. His son later said he couldn't wait to meet her and he couldn't wait to take her out on the water. He was so proud of us. John's son and his wife were planning on having their daughter baptized in Florida. John and Michelle were deeply proud of the life they had built together and they were truly happy. John and Michelle often wrote notes to each other, something they had been doing for years. In one of these notes, Michelle referenced her husband as her husbuddy and even wrote, each year with you gets better and better. Each time I turn onto Kokomo Lane, I smile, thinking I'm going to see you. You are my everything. Everyone who knew them all agreed John and Michelle were not only husband and wife, but also best friends. And although the couple never had any children of their own, they considered their dog Rebel to be their family. Loyal, loving and always by their side. In fact, Rebel would go everywhere with them. According to Ivy Stevens, Rebel is a huge deal to them. He was on the boat with us a lot of the time. Family time meant everything to the couple. Whether it was quiet evenings with Rebel by their side or a fish fry in the garage Mahal, John and Michelle welcomed every moment with open arms. They were living their best life, but unfortunately, their peaceful and happy existence was about to be shattered.
- [60:54]
Courtney Brown
John's daughter Ivy had recently moved out of the house on Southeast Kamoko Lane two weeks prior, but she had returned earlier that day on August 15th to bring food for her dog Bebe, who was still at the house, Ivy talked to Michelle, who she said was relaxing on the couch in the garage reading her Kindle. She then found her father inside painting to prepare the house to be sold. John and Michelle were hoping to downsize and purchase a home closer to the water. Apparently, John persuaded Ivy to take Bebe with her to get used to her new apartment. So as she left that day, she didn't tell her father goodbye because she planned a return in the morning. However, as she walked back to her car with Bebe, she turned to look at Michelle and she told her she loved her. Unfortunately, it would be the very last time she saw her father and Michelle alive, because around 8:30pm After Austin left Duffy's restaurant for the second and final time, he headed back on foot to his father's house to retrieve his car. He would later state that he wasn't thinking about anything as he walked nearly four miles towards his father's neighborhood, but he would never make it back home. Instead, he stopped one street short of Wade's Road on Southeast Kamoko Lane. Then he turned left towards the home of John and Michelle. At some point during his walk, Austin took off his shorts and was now only wearing a dark blue polo shirt and a pair of silky boxers. According to Austin, there were no streetlights and he believed he was quote, following the stars. But then suddenly Austin saw headlights in the distance and immediately he feared it was an evil entity. He stared at the lights, trying to ward off the evil, but eventually the car turned down another road in an obviously altered state. Austin then claimed that he saw a demon, someone he called Daniel.
- [63:09]
Colin Brown
This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Shifting a little money here, a little there and hoping it all works out? Well with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can be a better budgeter and potentially lower your insurance bill too. You tell Progressive what you want to pay for cars insurance and they'll help you find options within your budget. Try it today@progressive.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states. And now let's get back to our show. This episode is sponsored by better help. October 10th is World Mental Health Day and this year we're saying thank you to therapists all across the world who have helped us work through our deepest, darkest issues. As many of you know, I went through the process of getting sober a few years ago. It's almost my two year sobriety anniversary date and I honestly would not be here I would never have been able to get sober if I hadn't found a really good therapist who could help me work through all these issues that I didn't even really know that I was having. And if you're looking to start your therapy journey, well, BetterHelp is a great place to start. BetterHelp therapists have helped over 5 million people worldwide on their own mental health journeys. That's millions of stories, millions of different journeys, and behind each one is a therapist who showed up, listened, and helped someone take a step forward. Moments in therapy, like asking the right question, having a safe space to cry, or even getting a small win can absolutely change lives. This World mental health day, BetterHelp is honoring those connections and the therapists who make them possible, while showing how easy it is to get guidance from a licensed therapist online. With BetterHelp, BetterHelp therapists work according to a strict code of conduct and are fully licensed in the US BetterHelp does the initial matching work for you so you can focus on your therapy goals. A short questionnaire helps identify your needs and preferences and their 10 years of experience and industry leading match fulfillment rate means that they typically get it right the first time. This World Mental Health Day, we're celebrating the therapists who have helped millions of people take a step forward. If you're ready to find the right therapist for you, BetterHelp can help you start that journey. Our listeners get 10% off their first month@betterhelp.com MIA that's betterhelp.com MIA and now let's get back to our show. It's Hulu Weane on Disney. Watch frightful family favorites like Hocus Pocus and Tim Burton's the Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney.
- [65:46]
Interviewer / Reporter
I am the Pumpkin King.
- [65:48]
Courtney Brown
Then take the terror to 10 with.
- [65:50]
Colin Brown
A thrilling new remake of the Hand.
- [65:51]
Courtney Brown
That Rocks the Cradle.
- [65:52]
Colin Brown
Scream and more with Huluween on Disney. All these and more screaming this Halloween season with Hulu on Disney. Bundle subscription required 18 select Hulu content via Disney+ additional content on Hulu app terms apply. Visit disneyplus.comhulu for details.
- [66:07]
Courtney Brown
After an old middle school acquaintance.
- [66:12]
Colin Brown
You.
- [66:13]
Interviewer / Reporter
Say when you left the restaurant that night, the night of the incident, that when you left there, were you confused or were you thinking straight in your opinion? I don't remember thinking at all. I just. It's like a blur, so I don't think I was thinking straight. And how long was it after you left that you saw Daniel? Was it 10 minutes? 30 minutes? A mile away? Half a mile away? I Think maybe five minutes from the house. So I don't know how far it would have been. Okay. Right. When I saw him, I panicked and tried to get help. Were you running or walking when you saw him? I think I was running, but I don't have a clear memory. Take me through and, I mean, this is just from your experience? There's no right or wrong answer here. Just from your experience. Take me through the moment you saw Daniel. What went through your mind when you saw Daniel? Like, when I saw him, it wasn't like a clear person. It looked like a dark figure because it was like pitch black outside and I couldn't really see, but I heard his voice distinctly. And like, when I saw him, I just got scared out of my mind. But you, did you know it was him by his, I'm sorry, Did you know it was him by his voice or by his, the visual? By his voice. But you did see a figure? Yes. And what did the voice say that scared you said, hey, Austin. See, there we go. Okay. And I just got scared for something. It just like, I kind of just scared me to see him, like all of a sudden. I don't know. And it's what you knew about him from before that scared you?
- [69:01]
Colin Brown
Yeah.
- [69:02]
Interviewer / Reporter
He didn't threaten you that night? It's just him being there. Yeah. And what did you say to yourself? I need to, I guess I need to get, need to find someone to help me or like, figure out where I'm going. Mm. So I don't really remember what I said to myself. I just remember being afraid and being scared. So you, you, you panicked at that point? Yeah. Did you run?
- [69:39]
Colin Brown
Yeah.
- [69:40]
Courtney Brown
Austin said he was frightened when he encountered the demon and he knew he needed to find someone to help him. So from there he rushed down Kimoko Lane looking for anyone who was outside. Any signs of life, desperate to find a savior. Eventually he noticed a light on at 19010 Kamoko Lane. The garage door was open and Austin gravitated towards it. Inside the garage, Mahal Michelle Michon was enjoying a quiet, relaxing evening, watching television as she often did. As was typical, the garage door was open. Austin ran towards the open garage and encountered Michelle, who was immediately frightened. Though he later claimed he didn't yell or scream at her, Michelle was not expecting the sudden appearance of a half dressed stranger rushing towards her.
- [70:35]
Interviewer / Reporter
When you ran up into that garage and the woman was there, were you running to her for help? Yeah, I, I, I don't think I ran up to her. I think I just, I think I Just screamed and then it took. Where. But you think it was just your voice you yelled?
- [71:01]
Colin Brown
No, I didn't.
- [71:01]
Interviewer / Reporter
I don't think I yelled. I think I just was. I just showed up and she was.
- [71:06]
Colin Brown
Shocked that I was.
- [71:10]
Interviewer / Reporter
I guess almost naked. But I mean, I understand that, but I didn't know. I didn't know I was not clothed properly. Right. Do you remember the first thing that she said? No, I don't remember what she said. Do you remember being yelled at? Do you remember what happened next?
- [71:47]
Colin Brown
Not.
- [71:47]
Interviewer / Reporter
No, I, I don't, I don't. Like I have some memory of what happened, but I don't remember how we got in, into the altercation or into the fighting. I don't, I don't remember.
- [72:08]
Courtney Brown
Michelle screamed, yelling at Austin to get off her property. But in an altered paranoid state, Austin believed she was a witch. He later said that her scream was to alert the demons of his location. The delusions took over him and from there he launched into a violent unprovoked attack. He later stated that he noticed a machete in the left corner of the garage, so he quickly picked it up. Rushing towards Michelle. Austin raised the machete and started hitting Michelle's body. Once he overpowered her, he bit her because he believed he was still half man, half dog. Michelle screamed and attempted to shield herself from the blows, but it was no use. Austin was too strong, overtaken by adrenaline. He couldn't even feel the hits that Michelle lobbed at him as she fought for her life. And he also didn't notice someone coming up from behind. It was around 9:15pm When Jeffrey Fisher, who lived directly across the street from John and Michelle, heard someone screaming as he was winding down for the night. Fearing that something was wrong, he stepped outside his front door where he witnessed Austin slamming Michelle's car door shut and then body slamming her to the ground. Jeffrey rushed towards his neighbor's house, but it was too late as Michelle was already stiff, unmoving and in a pool of blood on the garage floor. Then suddenly Austin looked over at Jeffrey and spoke to him.
- [73:44]
Interviewer / Reporter
Turned and looked at me and said, you want no part of this. You want no part of me. One of the two. And then from his right hand swung.
- [73:54]
Courtney Brown
Austin swung the knife multiple times at Jeffrey, slicing through his face and body. He had a large cut on his head and several puncture wounds to his lower back and neck. What happened next?
- [74:07]
Interviewer / Reporter
We then got into the little pitter patter fight thing. I was able to get a hold of his shirt. When I yanked him, I yanked him like that, he lost his balance and he went down to the ground right there, face first.
- [74:18]
Courtney Brown
At some point, Jeffrey realized he was bleeding from his head. And after temporarily subduing Austin, he rushed through John and Michelle's house and exited through the back glass sliding door. He later stated that he ran to the side of their house and hid in the bushes, fearing that Austin was following him on foot. But as he waited there, the pain of his wounds intensified. So Jeffrey emerged from his hiding spot and rushed back across the street to his own house. He would later say that he never looked back as he ran, but he could still hear Austin making odd noises from John and Michelle's garage.
- [74:58]
Interviewer / Reporter
The words were not making sense. He was just something to that effect.
- [75:04]
Colin Brown
Once he was safe, Jeffrey grabbed his cell phone and immediately dialed 91 1. It was now 9:20pm 91 1.
- [75:12]
Interviewer / Reporter
Do you need fire, police or medical, please? And medical. Medical on the. Don't. Don't open that. Don't open that. Fire Rescue, let's say address. Young man beating up a woman across the street. Okay. Are they outside or in a house? It's in a garage. Okay, can you tell if he has any weapons? I think he had a knife, but I'm not bothered. Okay, can you tell if she's injured or he's injured? Say again? Are either of them injured? Can you tell from where you are? Yes, there's a girl laying on the ground. He beat her up. I ran over there. I'm bleeding profusely here at the moment. Okay. I don't know what happened. All right. Can you tell if she's conscious or is she unconscious? Say again? Can you tell if she's conscious? No, he does not appear as toenail. Okay, and how. What kind of injuries do you have? I've been stabbed in the back with a knife. Yes, I believe so. It was still okay. You couldn't tell how long it was or anything? Community ambulance. Yeah, we're sending them. We're sending them. And where is he? Is he in the area? Right across the street from my house. All right, what's your name? Okay. All right, we're gonna get the paramedics right out there, sir. What did the guy look like? Was he white, black, Hispanic? He was white. You know how old he is? About 25 years old. And what was he wearing? Shorts and T shirt. Do you know who he is? I have no idea. Does he live at that house or. No, he does not. Does the female look familiar to you? I believe it was the daughter of the house that lives over There. I'm not positive. Can you have your wife for. I don't want you moving if you've been stabbed, but I. Can you have your wife or someone look out and see if he's still there? I don't know. See if that car is still there. Honey, it appears he's still there. And you, you said you. You definitely saw a knife and that's what he hit you with in the bag. Oh, I do not trust yet, but my wife's looking at my back and it appears I got punctured. Yeah, bag in the neck, in the head. Three. Three puncture wounds. Okay, we got units in route. Okay. Okay. All right, Just call us back if anything changes, all right? Don't. Don't overthel me, all right? I'm bleeding pretty bad. Okay, we got. We got an ambulance and everybody around. Just stay right there and stay calm. Okay? Okay. All right.
- [78:15]
Courtney Brown
Now, their neighbor Jeffrey didn't mention seeing John Stevens during the attack. So it's unclear when John made his way into the garage. But we do know that when he did, he encountered a horrific scene. Once outside, he found his beloved wife Michelle on the ground in a pool of blood. The brutal assault left her beaten and stabbed to death. And also in the garage was the man who killed her. John quickly rushed towards Austin in an attempt to control the situation. But once again, Austin's strength took over and he dragged John out towards the driveway and started slashing and beating him with fury. Within a few minutes, the St. Martin County Sheriff's office responded to the scene with deputies Grace Zopf and Wayne Trochan as the first officers to arrive. Trochan later recalled that the first thing he noticed was a horrifying blood trail on the driveway. It was at least 8ft wide. Now, Deputy Zopf already had her gun drawn, but Trochan instructed her not to shoot. As Austin had John wrapped in a bear like grip, he feared that if she fired her weapon, she might accidentally shoot the victim. But Austin looked up at her and begged. Fucking shoot me, he said. Trochan said, quote, he had his legs intertwined, his arms wrapped around him. He had his fingers like a fish hook in his mouth, trying to pull his cheek apart. He was growling. Zaf would later say, quote, I was seeing this man biting the chest of another man and hearing the sounds of, you know, flesh being ripped. It was awful. End quote.
- [80:03]
Interviewer / Reporter
Sir, I've got this guy wrapped around him and he's fighting him. Careful. Oh, no. 2137, 2330 unit, I'm seeing are all our people. Okay, that's all we need. Quarantine 23 or so. I have to call. I'll call Detective and.
- [80:41]
Colin Brown
And crime.
- [80:58]
Interviewer / Reporter
10 9, your radio is 1099. 1054, your radios are 1099. Need to begin that you are still digital to 99. There is no possible true signal. Savage we even in here now? Just in a second. Another 2x33 late.
- [81:37]
Colin Brown
I know you have your handful.
- [81:39]
Interviewer / Reporter
Do you have any suspects that are not 1012? We have everybody 1012. One suspect. We are. Do we have three victims? Do we have one? Right now your partner moved out of here.
- [82:15]
Courtney Brown
Both officers witnessed Austin biting chunks of flesh from John's cheek and then spitting that flesh onto the ground. He barked, growled, and made bizarre comments as police officers surrounded the scene and brainstormed ways to remove Austin from the victim. Deputy Zoft deployed her Taser, and although it struck Austin, it had no effect. He continued to bite and tear the flesh from John's face as if nothing even happened. Now, she believed that John was already deceased, as she noticed several stab wounds to his abdomen that were bleeding profusely. When the Taser didn't work, a Tequesta K9 officer released his German Shepherd. The K9 managed to latch onto Austin's arm, pulling him away from John momentarily. But Austin ripped his arm free from the dog's mouth, tearing his own tendons apart in the process. Then he immediately went back to holding his victim to the officers at the scene. There was absolutely no sign of stopping him. Frustrated and terrified, Trocan approached Austin and started stomping and kicking his face in an attempt to stop the attack. He later said, quote, I kicked him in the head. His head came off for a second, and then he went right back and took a deeper grapple hold. Austin continued biting and tearing off chunks of flesh. Eventually, with the help of the canine and Trochan's repeated kicks, Austin was finally forced off of John, and the police officers were able to handcuff him. But he was still struggling to get free as he screamed, kill me. I'm eating people. Kill me. Fucking kill me. Fucking kill me. Shoot me now. I deserve to die. He also told the officers that he had eaten something bad, and when asked what that was, he responded, humans now. From there, Austin was transported to the hospital for his injuries. It would later be determined that at some point during the attack, Austin consumed a chemical or solvent he found in their garage. The substance caused severe burns to his esophagus and ultimately led to him falling in a coma. But the substance has never been revealed to the public.
- [84:40]
Interviewer / Reporter
When you went in that garage.
- [84:43]
Courtney Brown
Did.
- [84:43]
Interviewer / Reporter
You drink something in that garage that you found there? I don't want to talk about that. I can't talk about that. You had severe burns to your esophagus, right? Yeah. And do you know what caused you to go into a coma? I didn't. I didn't know. I didn't know at the time, but I guess I know now. And what have they told you caused you to go into the coma? Okay. And. Yes. Wait, go ahead. Wait. Go ahead. Okay. All right. We'll be done by then. You just tell me when we need to click off, okay? Okay. You felt like you had some superpowers and that you could read people, right?
- [85:49]
Colin Brown
Yeah.
- [85:50]
Interviewer / Reporter
Okay. And did you ever remember putting yourself in harm's way by stepping into traffic or anything like that? Well, when I was walking alone to my dad's house to get my car, I remember like. Like walking in front of cars and stuff like that. I don't know why. Mm. So in looking back, you recognize that there has been a period of time, weeks, even months, that you have been losing touch with reality. Yeah.
- [86:41]
Colin Brown
John and Michelle's neighbor, Jeffrey Fisher, was also transported to St. Mary's Hospital to be treated for his significant injuries. Fortunately, he survived the attack, but had to undergo exploratory surgery due to a stomach bleed. Had several puncture wounds to his lower back and neck. His face was slashed open, and he had a broken thumb. His recovery, mentally and physically, was not easy given the brutality of the crime scene. That's not a surprise. Back at the crime scene, investigators located several weapons, including a knife under John Stevens army, a machete, a pair of scissors in the driveway, and a screwdriver inside the garage. As for the victims, John and Michelle, the unprovoked violent attack had left them both dead. Struck down after a lifetime of work, love, and adventure. A later autopsy determined that John died from multiple injuries stemming from 18 stab wounds. And Michelle died from blunt force trauma injuries. She had a broken nose and all of her teeth had been knocked out. Both victims had bite marks and chunks of flesh ripped from their bodies. The manner of death for both was homicide. As police were dispatched to alert their loving families, their killer left even more trauma in his wake. Austin was transported to St. Mary's Medical center, handcuffed to a gurney, screaming, fuck America, just kill me. He howled, making animal like noises, and contorted his body in unnatural positions. He could not provide any information to medical staff and first responders, but lied and told them that his name was Austin. Moore. Staff tried to sedate Austin, but he kept waking up. One of the nurses stated, a normal person should never wake up with the amount of sedation he is on. Everyone believed that he was experiencing a drug induced psychosis as he was physically violent and combative. But Austin denied using drugs. He had injured his hands during the attack. The muscles and nerves were damaged and he had nearly severed off his right thumb. Investigators believed that his hand had slipped during the frenzied knife attack. There were chunks of flesh in his teeth, but whatever chemical he drank inside the garage had also done extensive damage. There were severe burns to his esophagus and stomach. His liver and kidneys were failing. He had an infection in his colon and there were blood clots in his brain. He was hospitalized from August 15 to September 15, during which time he was placed on a ventilator, fed through a tube and required multiple blood transfusions to keep him alive. Now, after the devastating news spread through Tequesta, friends, family members, neighbors and those closest to John and Michelle were left in shock. The horrifying nature of the attack stunned the tight knit community as questions began to swirl. How could this happen? Why were John and Michelle targeted? What had driven a 19 year old FSU student to such unthinkable violence? For the time being, there were more questions than answers. In a once safe community where people often left their doors unlocked and garage doors open, people no longer did that. The trust and safety of the neighborhood was forever broken. Ivy Stevens stated, I'm feeling every emotion there is. Anger is at the top of the list at the moment. Ivy, as well as numerous others, wanted Austin to be held accountable for what he had done. Although he was still in the hospital, heavily sedated and unable to speak with investigators, Ivy hoped that he would pull through without brain damage. There was a devastating loss and a completely random attack that made absolutely no sense. John's son felt the same way as his sister. Both John and Michelle were in the prime of their lives. And regardless of what was going on with Austin during the crimes, it was still a double homicide and an attempted murder of another right now, family heartbroken, trying to understand the unthinkable.
- [90:27]
Interviewer / Reporter
A random, heinous attack that killed John.
- [90:30]
Colin Brown
Stevens and his wife, Michelle Mishkan.
- [90:32]
Interviewer / Reporter
For the first time, John's son is speaking out about his loving parents and his anger about their murders. News Channel 5's Alyssa Hyman joining us live from outside the family's home tonight. Alyssa, as you can imagine, this neighborhood still in shock over what happened here Monday night. Today I said spoke with John Stevens son who tells me that now his father will never have the chance to meet and hold his new granddaughter. John Stevens iv, named after his dad, opened up to talk about his father and stepmother. You know, my dad and Michelle, I mean they were just, they were great people, you know, and we were super close. Their deaths are hard for for him to bear.
- [91:16]
Courtney Brown
His daughter's baptism is set for next month.
- [91:19]
Interviewer / Reporter
That's when John's dad was going to meet his new granddaughter. He was just super excited about that. Much more hard for us. John Stevens IV is a former Marine.
- [91:31]
Courtney Brown
Who now lives outside Kansas City.
- [91:34]
Interviewer / Reporter
He talked about John and Michelle's love of boating and fishing and their chocolate labs in that garage, the place they loved so much. John told me they called it their garage Mahal. Yeah, everybody loved them and they were just kind. He was kind.
- [91:48]
Courtney Brown
Mixed in with their unimaginable heartbreak is outrage.
- [91:52]
Interviewer / Reporter
Why did the 19 year old suspected killer suddenly without reason attack his parents? Normal people don't make the decision to go take drugs and then kill people, regardless what was on the drug. John told me he believes there's more to this violent behavior than drugs. You know, obviously the kid was violent, repressed, entitled and upset and wanted to hurt somebody and now he's hurt a bunch of people. And John tells me that he wants the prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case, although he says he.
- [92:27]
Courtney Brown
Fears they will not.
- [92:29]
Colin Brown
On Friday, August 19, a memorial service was held for John Stevens III and Michelle Mishkin at Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale. Over 500 people attended, including John's children and Michelle's father, Jeff. Friends and family members shared memories of the couple and read some of the notes they had written to each other over the years. Jeff Mishkin stated they were a dream couple and truly two of God's best children. John and Michelle were laid to rest after the memorial service, both being cremated and their ashes then spread on the water of the Jupiter Inlet, one of their favorite fishing places. The opportunity of spending their golden years together was taken from them and the public was left with no answers because back at St. Mary's Medical Center, Austin, still laid in a coma, the state attorney's office stated that once he woke up, he would be officially charged with two counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, burglary of a dwelling while armed and resisting an officer without violence. The Haruf family attorney Robert Watson issued a statement saying the Harrouff family expresses their deepest sympathy for the pain and suffering caused by Austin Haruf. The Haruf family loves Austin as they know the Stevens and Mishkan families love John Stevens III and Michelle Mishkun. There are no words we can offer to give any real comfort for this tragic loss. There are no words we can offer that can make up for the injuries sustained by Jeff Fisherman, who was doing what we would want all good neighbors to do, which was trying to help innocent people from being hurt or killed. We love our son and know that he is not the person some are making him out to be for their own purposes. We allow the full legal process to find the facts and the truth here. On September 15, 2016, Austin was released from St. Mary's Hospital and transferred to St. Mary's Rehabilitation Center. During this time, medical staff noted that he suffered from severe headaches, drainage from his right ear and double vision. He also needed speech therapy and suffered from memory loss and a reduced ability to solve problems. He was officially released from the rehabilitation center on October 3rd but needed constant supervision. Due to his injuries, he was taken to the Martin County Jail's Medical Housing Unit. Interestingly, on the day that Austin walked into jail for the first time, he already had a package waiting for him, a book titled When Life Is over the Truth about what awaits you after death from an anonymous sender. He was not allowed to take the gift and he was placed on suicide watch and given special status. Whenever he left his cell, he had to be escorted by two police officers in handcuffs. He was held without bail and officially charged with two counts of first degree murder. He pleaded not guilty. Once released from the medical unit, Austin was required to wear leg restraints and a bell chain whenever he was moved. Due to the severe nature of his charges.
- [95:17]
Courtney Brown
In November of 2016, toxicology results revealed that Austin did not have hallucinogenic drugs, flakka and bath salts in his system. He also didn't have methamphetamine, cocaine or heroin in his system either. However, he did have an ethanol level of 0.17 and trace amounts of marijuana. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said. We were surprised at the results of the blood work, end quote. With how random, brutal and frenzied the attack was, everyone expected there to be drugs in his system. It would at least help explain the psychotic behavior. So without seeing that, investigators began to believe that perhaps he suffered from a severe psychotic break. During pre trial hearings, the court ordered Austin to undergo comprehensive psychiatric and psychological evaluations to determine his mental state during the crimes. His defense attorneys were already planning on building an Insanity defense. In early 2017, Dr. Philip Reznik, a highly respected forensic psychiatrist, was hired by Austin's defense team to conduct an evaluation on him. And Dr. Resnik had been a consultant on several high profile cases, including Andrea Yates, the Oklahoma City bomber, Timothy McVeigh, Jeffrey Dahmer and Casey Anthony. But after his evaluation on Austin, the 38 page document was officially released in February of 2019. In it, it showed numerous interviews with Austin, his family members, law enforcement and mental health professionals. It detailed his behavior leading up to the attacks and his state of mind during the crime. Dr. Reznik firmly believed that Austin suffered from severe mental disease, specifically bipolar 1, an acute manic episode with psychotic features including grandiose delusions, lycanthropathy delusions and persecutory delusions. He highlighted that during the time of the murders, Austin believed he was invincible and godlike, compared himself to Jesus and had superpowers, end quote. He also wrote that Austin believed he had special aerobatic powers and jumped from rock to rock on car roofs. He thought that his anatomy was changing and that he was getting more muscular. He believed that sometimes he was half horse, half man, and sometimes he was half dog, half man. When he heard a group of dogs barking, he thought that the dog's souls were asking him for help. At the time he was biting the male victim, Mr. Haruf, believed that he was a dog, end quote.
- [98:12]
Colin Brown
In terms of persecutory delusions, Dr. Resnik stated, Mr. Haruf believed that evil forces were coming after him and they were present in his home. Mr. Haruf became focused on light and dark. He associated dark with lack of clarity and evil. He became fearful in the dark. He believed that the devil had power in the dark. He was so fearful that a dark spirit would kill him in his sleep, and he couldn't sleep at night. Mr. Harouf was experiencing confused, irrational thoughts. On August 15, 2016, for example, he attempted to drink Wesson oil at his mother's house that evening. And he drank a toxic substance that he found in the garage of the homicide victims. In addition, Mr. Harouf believed that putting a hat on backward would propel him forward. Ultimately, Dr. Resnik determined that Mr. Austin Harouf, as a result of severe mental disease, did not know that his conduct was wrong. Although his defense was trying to prove that he was legally insane, the loved ones of John and Michelle still believed he should be held accountable for his actions. For John's son, it was extremely hard to watch Austin's defense attorneys rubbing his Shoulders in court and listening to Austin's phone calls from jail with his father, birthdays, holidays and family events were a struggle. The absence of his father and stepmother was a painful reminder every day of the brutality that took them. The entire family believed that Austin was more supported and comforted in the courtroom. While their pain and the memory of what happened to John and Michelle didn't matter for them, it appeared that Austin Haruf was the victim.
- [99:44]
Interviewer / Reporter
Please wait while your call is being connected. This is a call from Austin Peroff, an inmate at the Martin County Jail. Hello? Hey, Austin. Hey, dad. How you doing, buddy? I'm doing okay. I'm real proud of you. How? You didn't answer any questions. Yeah. Good. How are you doing? Am I. Can you put money in my line? Huh? Can you put money in my commentary account? Yeah, I can. Can you do it soon? Yeah. Did The Bob dude. 200, did he? Yeah. Okay. Well, how, how, how. Okay. It's tough on us off. We're not used to this. Am I going to be okay? Yeah, you're going to be okay. Everyone's scared. Yeah. But now it's pretty confident that we can pull something off here. Yeah. How? Are you taking your medicine? Yeah, I'm taking my medicine. What it comes down to is I got you two lawyers and we can. What? Huh? Lawyers. And it's. We're gonna do the best we can. It's looking better. Is popping a quit? No, he's not okay. I don't think so. No. Did he tell you he was. He said he might, but. Drop the case. Discard. Adjusting to jail. I know you. You need it. You. You need to get a Bible, Austin. I asked for one. You have one. Are you getting me a therapist or anything? Yes, I plan on it. Can you do it? Sir? Have you talked to your mama yet? I tried to, but she didn't answer. So I'm going to call her after. Let me call her first and tell her to wait on your call. Okay? Okay. When you going to call her? Like. Like right after you call her. So maybe 10 minutes. Okay. She'll like that. If things are going to be all right, I mean, don't worry about nothing. We're gonna. We're gonna get through this. Okay. Anything new on the news? Not. Not about me, but anything new in the outside world? Yeah, the. The. There's a hurricane coming. Yeah, I heard. Yeah. So I think I'm going to Tampa. You are? Yeah, I'm. Put my boat up and stuff. Stuff. Morning. Going here about one o'. Clock, so. Did Bob tell you for sure he's going to quit or. He might. He said he might. That's not very good, huh? Is that bad? No. Hey, man, it's not bad. Might be good. I like him. Now I'm upset with him for telling you that. Okay. But I'll promise you this. I'll have you know, I'll have you another one. And I'll have you better ones. Okay? I'll never. I'll never give up on you. Okay? I promise. Okay. Listen, Austin. You gotta stay strong here. Now, I know. Toughest thing you've ever done. I know. But you gotta stay strong. I'm distant. I know it's gonna be hard to adjust, but you'll get used to it. And we. We'll. We'll get the best thing we can do to get. Huh? I don't know how it works yet, but. But hopefully we can get you into a mental place. Yeah. As time goes on. Yeah. That's what the first step is. You think they can? Yes, I do. I definitely do, Austin. Okay. And you did a good job not talking to those evil people. How's the house? Huh? How's the house? I sold the house. I live in my condo now. Yeah, I know. How is it? I like it. I like it. You unpack everything? Not. I don't have it unpacked. I've been seeing you every. Every night for six weeks. Yeah. It's time for me to start unpacking. Yeah, well. But I'll never give it up on anybody. I'll spend whatever it takes to get you good. Get you out of there. Okay? Okay. I love you, bud. I love you, too.
- [105:39]
Colin Brown
There was also the fact that Wade appeared to downplay Jeffrey Fisher's injuries during Austin's interview with Dr. Phil. While discussing the events of the night, Wade stated that Jeffrey wasn't seriously hurt despite being stabbed multiple times and needing emergency surgery. For the family members of John Stevens and Michelle mission, this was infuriating. They believed that the insanity defense was, for lack of a better term, absolute bullshit. They did not believe that Austin was insane and instead blamed his history of drug use.
- [106:10]
Interviewer / Reporter
I've lost many nights of sleep going over these texts. Cindy Mishkan has read every word. I know these texts inside and out. More than once. They only had one older sister. Now I don't.
- [106:25]
Colin Brown
They are the personal texts and they are the private web searches from the cell phone of accused murderer Austin Haroff.
- [106:32]
Interviewer / Reporter
I don't need drugs, Molly. Acid mushrooms. Every single time he does drugs, he seems to want to text about it.
- [106:41]
Colin Brown
Hairoff is charged with stabbing and killing Michelle Mishkan and her husband John Stevens in their garage in Tequesta in August 2016. Harov also attacked a neighbor who tried to intervene. He was found growling and eating Stevens face when police showed up.
- [106:58]
Interviewer / Reporter
The attack was random.
- [107:00]
Colin Brown
Haroff had stormed out of a restaurant.
- [107:02]
Interviewer / Reporter
And began walking and he can't remember what happened and he murdered my sister and my brother in law. Local Ted News has obtained 4,000 pages.
- [107:11]
Colin Brown
Of hair off phone records starting in October 2015. Quote, I literally blacked out while talking to you. I blacked out, lost my hat, my tennis shoes and my muscle shirt. Blacked out last night and I texted Sarah. I have no idea why. Apparently I passed out in Harmon bathroom with pants off.
- [107:31]
Interviewer / Reporter
March 2016. Sorry, I'm asking a lot of questions.
- [107:35]
Colin Brown
I. I blacked out at like 8 o'. Clock.
- [107:38]
Interviewer / Reporter
A month before the murders.
- [107:40]
Colin Brown
Haroff's website searches include how to know if you're going crazy hearing things in my sleep. Exploding head syndrome. Overview and facts. Six days before allegedly killing Mishkan and Stevens, hair off inquired and agreed to buy illegal mushrooms which when chewed could.
- [107:59]
Interviewer / Reporter
Cause a hallucinogenic effect.
- [108:01]
Colin Brown
He even asks, quote, how much would it take me to trip. But not too bad.
- [108:07]
Interviewer / Reporter
His father texted him hours before the murders. Did you throw the drugs out? I don't see how drugs are irrelevant to this case. And it angers me.
- [108:17]
Colin Brown
The defense will try to prove Heroff was insane.
- [108:20]
Interviewer / Reporter
They're expected to rely on a report.
- [108:22]
Colin Brown
Produced by a forensic psychologist who says Herof suffers from a rare psychiatric syndrome where the affected person is delusional and thinks he's been transformed into an animal. Hero's attorney says there is no evidence Austin was under the influence of any psychotropic drugs at the time of the murders. But the FBI lab report clearly states they don't test for the active ingredient in mushrooms, the drug he allegedly bought the week before.
- [108:53]
Interviewer / Reporter
I think the defense is total bull. Well, they hold up the FBI report and say see, he didn't do any drugs. Drugs aren't an issue in this case. But what they're not telling the public is what wasn't tested for the trial set for this November. I'm a little more worried every day that he's gonna get away with murder. I did outer chest exercise. With his.
- [109:22]
Colin Brown
False defense, hero faces life behind bars.
- [109:26]
Interviewer / Reporter
Jeff weins here, Local 10 News.
- [109:29]
Colin Brown
It's worth noting that during initial reports it wasn't stated explicitly to the public that Austin was tested for hallucinogens but court records indicate he was. Throughout his time in jail, Austin continued to display bizarre and erratic behavior. In a visit with his mother, mina, in early 2018, Austin sang Weird songs and made off the wall comments.
- [109:50]
Interviewer / Reporter
When he raised me, I forgot the rest of the lyrics. Brian, Brian.
- [110:01]
Colin Brown
Brian.
- [110:01]
Interviewer / Reporter
Brian. Brian. Brian. Brian. Brian. Brian. Brian. Brian. Brian. Brian. Brian. Cruise fast. O9. Cruise fast O9. Jean shorts. Jean shorts. Cauliflower. Cauliflower. You're quite a character, you. I'm just kidding.
- [111:09]
Courtney Brown
At other times, Austin was emotional. He admitted to his father that he just wanted to be a normal kid again. But that was never going to happen. Austin's trial was originally scheduled to start at the end of 2019. However, the judge postponed it to May of 2020. But then when that date came around, the trial was delayed again due to state prosecutors wanting a second opinion regarding Austin's mental health during the time of the murders. Eventually, the state hired Gregory Landrum, a forensic clinical psychologist. During his evaluation, Gregory noted that Austin was currently taking Zoloft, Geodon and Trazodone. But he complained about the Trazodone, saying that it made him sleepy and hungry. In fact, in the few years he had spent in jail, Austin had gained 90 pounds. He also reported that Austin was being treated for schizophrenia in jail.
- [112:08]
Colin Brown
In the 12 page report, Gregory ultimately agreed with Dr. Philip Bresnik's findings and wrote, it is reasonable to conclude that Mr. Haruf was experiencing a decompensated mental state associated with an emerging mood and thought disorder, an acute psychiatric episode. As a result of this condition, it is opined that Mr. Haroof was unable to distinguish right from wrong, with both sides agreeing that Austin did not know right from wrong during the time of the murders. He met the criteria to be acquitted by reason of insanity. On November 28, 2022, Circuit Judge Sherwood Bauer allowed family members of the victims, John and Michelle to speak in court before he issued his ruling.
- [112:49]
Interviewer / Reporter
Can I look at the defendant or I have to look this way? You can look over there if you'd like. Yes. Can I turn this? If you'd like to. If you could go ahead and just state your name. Yeah, I'm going to. And please bear with me because I have a lot to say.
- [113:05]
Courtney Brown
Okay. A lot.
- [113:14]
Interviewer / Reporter
For those of you that don't know me, my name is Cindy Mishkan. I am Michelle Mishkan's sister. You can't even look at me. Oh, wow. Okay. I am Michelle Mishkan's sister. And John Stevens, sister in law. I started writing my victim. Victim's impact statement. A long time ago, at a time when I was naive enough to think that there would actually be justice at a minimum, a trial. And at a time when I thought you might actually care to hear how you destroyed my life and the lives of my family members. In my statement, I told you all about my sister Michelle. About her amazing blue eyes. About how she went. About how she too went to Florida State. About how we were only 16 months apart and best friends. About how she used to rub my stomach for hours when I was debilitated by terrible stomach aches as a child. And how I bought a house in Jupiter so we could grow old together sitting on my patio watching the boats go by. Those are just some of the things I was going to tell you about my amazing sister. But that was then and this is now. Everything changed for me a long time ago. Just as the ink dried on my heartfelt victim's impact statement, everything changed. Not because I miraculously recovered from the excruciating emotional pain you caused me, but because I started listening to your jailhouse calls and quickly realized that you were intent on causing me and my family even more unbearable pain. I quickly realized from listening to those calls that you don't care about how your actions have affected me. You don't care about how your actions have affected my family. You don't care that you murdered my parents firstborn child. You don't care that you. You don't care about anyone but yourself. In fact, the only victim that you and your family see in all of this is you and the hair off names. So what exactly did you and your family say on the jailhouse calls that led me to this conclusion? Well, for starters, your parents repeatedly told you over and over ad nauseam that you did nothing wrong, that you have nothing to be sorry for, that you are a good boy. It's then a toss up for me between two statements that were the hardest for me to hear and made me realize that you just don't care. I have a question. If I'm quoting, am I allowed to use a swear word? I'm going to repeat that. Then it's then a toss up for me between two statements that were the hardest for me to hear and maybe realize that you just don't care. The first was having to hear your father refer to Michelle, how he celebrated and took the entire office out for drinks. The day. The day the FBI lab report came back. It didn't matter to your father that you stabbed Michelle multiple times in the back, neck and face. That you fractured Michelle's nose, arm and ribs? Or that you knocked out her teeth? No, none of that mattered. All that mattered to you and your father was that the lab report is what the lab report meant for you and your hype price fabricated defense and how you could use the report to bolster the illusion or delusion that you are the victim. So what else did I hear on the jailhouse calls that made me quickly realize that you thought of yourself as the only victim in all of this? Well, in one call, you liken yourself to a pow. In another call, you liken yourself to a Holocaust survivor. And in another call, you liken yourself to an African, which I believe you were referring to a slave. Is it really so hard for you to understand that you are just a cold blooded murderer, not a victim, and certainly not a POW Holocaust survivor or slave. Like, how insulting can you be to the real victims? You are disgusting. And how terrible it has. And how terrible has it really been for you while waiting for your day in court? Well, when I was still listening to the jailhouse calls, you were fed three meals a day. You had your magazine and newspaper subscriptions delivered to you. You had your own toilet, your own shower, and for good measure, your own personal phone to use all day long, which you did. You also had a new girlfriend. And let's not forget that you had your weekly care packages from Mommy. Listening to you refer to yourself as a pow, a Holocaust survivor and a slave reminded me of the game on Sesame Street. One of these things is not like the other. Your team is going to walk out of this courtroom and proclaim victory, that you've been fully vindicated and that you are truly the victim in all of this. And I couldn't live with myself if I didn't let the world know exactly who you really are in your own words. Because not only did I spend hundreds of hours listening to your jailhouse calls, but I also spent countless nights going through your text messages and notes on your cell phone. So this is who you are, Austin Haroff.
- [118:55]
Courtney Brown
For hours, the court listened to victim impact statements from John and Michelle's family as they addressed Austin. The Haruf family sat in silence with their heads down. Ultimately, the judge accepted the plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, meaning that Austin would not face prison time, but instead be committed to a secure mental health facility indefinitely.
- [119:21]
Interviewer / Reporter
The defendant was evaluated by Dr. Philip Reznik and Dr. Gregory Landrum, who both.
- [119:25]
Colin Brown
Opined that at the time of the.
- [119:27]
Interviewer / Reporter
Offense training charged, the defendant was suffering under such a mental defect that he.
- [119:31]
Colin Brown
Was unable to distinguish right from wrong.
- [119:33]
Interviewer / Reporter
Or understand the consequences of his actions.
- [119:36]
Colin Brown
Dr. Lantern found that due to the.
- [119:38]
Interviewer / Reporter
Defendant'S illness, he is manifestly dangerous to himself or others and therefore meets the criteria for commitment to a secure treatment facility of the Department of Children Family Services as provided under the law the state. The defense stipulated and agreed that the defendant was not legally sane at the.
- [119:56]
Colin Brown
Time of the offense and is therefore.
- [119:58]
Interviewer / Reporter
Not guilty of the offense by reason of insanity. Therefore, the court finds that the defendant is found not guilty on the offenses charged in the indictment for the cause of insanity due to mental illness as defined in Florida statutes. The defendant currently meets the criteria for involuntary commitment to the department of children of the Family services as provided under.
- [120:22]
Colin Brown
Florida law and Florida rules, and in.
- [120:24]
Interviewer / Reporter
That the defendant, because of his mental illness, is manifestly dangerous to himself or others. Based upon those facts and conclusions of the law, it's ordered that the defendant is not guilty of the offenses charged in the November 8, 2016 indictment by reason of insanity. Defendant meets the criteria for involuntary placement. Department of Children Families the defendant is hereby committed to the Department of Children Families to be placed in a secure mental health treatment facility.
- [120:54]
Courtney Brown
After his ruling, the judge addressed the court and said, quote, in this case, the defense and state have agreed to this particular outcome, I'm sure based upon all the facts and circumstances they had, end quote. The judge went on to say, quote, it's a sad case. It's an awful case. Nobody is losing sight, I tell you. I know I'm not of the deaths and injuries that were sustained in this case. But when it all gets said and done, the state and the defense have made the determination that the mental intent was not formulated, it wasn't there, and therefore the defendant is technically not guilty by reason of insanity, end quote.
- [121:38]
Colin Brown
For the loved ones of John Stevens and Michelle Mishkin, justice was not served. When Michelle's younger sister Cindy was asked how she felt, she replied, four words come to mind. White rich boy Justice. Instead of the three week trial they had hoped for, Austin's fate was determined in a two hour sentencing. Ivy Stevens said it best when she stated that the only thing that will be remembered of her father and stepmother were the outrageous and disgusting headlines graphically talking about what happened to them in their final moments. The horror of the crime overshadowed the lives they had lived. Kind, generous and deeply loving lives for the family. John and Michelle deserved to be remembered not for the cruelty that they suffered, but for the warmth, joy and light that they gave to everyone around them.
- [122:24]
Interviewer / Reporter
Sure, I can Tell you that my sister was the best. My sister and John were the most loving care, caring, giving, warm people. I said in court today, sadly, the only blessing of this all is that they were together because neither would have survived well without the other. We talked a lot in court today about why they were in their garage and why their garage was open every night and how they welcomed everybody in. So I think like most people feel about their siblings, we buff them with everything that we had. I said in court today, we are all still living here. There were five of us. We spent every holiday, every birthday together. We traveled together. We were a family that really loved and enjoyed being with one another. So this has devastated us. This has. This has broken us. My father has not been well since the day he learned of this happening. And when you have great people like this and they go in this way, way, it's, you know, it's devastating. It ruins your life forever.
- [123:27]
Courtney Brown
The state of Florida, loved by both John and Michelle as a place of peace and happiness, would never be the same for their family members. Instead, it would always be a reminder of the cruelty that shattered their lives. John IV said of John iii, quote, he thought Florida was the best place in the world and he couldn't understand why anyone would want to live anywhere else, end quote. But now, moving forward, Jupiter, Martin county and even the Atlantic Ocean were ruined forever for us, end quote. But to keep their memory alive, their families try their best to talk about them as much as they can. They never want to forget what great people John and Michelle were. They never want their memory to fade away.
- [124:19]
Colin Brown
In January 2023, Austin was transferred to the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee. For Austin's family members, friends and his defense attorney, Robert Watson, they all believed it is the place that is best for him. According to reports, Austin will undergo a psychiatric review every six months, followed by annual evaluations afterwards. The results of these evaluations, including detailed recommendations for his ongoing treatment and risk level, will be submitted to a judge for review. Although Austin now claims that he has been stable for a long time, the decision to release him will ultimately rest in the hands of the court and the mental health professionals at the Florida State Hospital. For John and Michelle's family members, it wasn't good enough. And they still believed that Austin was never truly insane. They felt that Austin had been coached by his family and defense team pursue an insanity defense. When John's son found out that Austin had been transferred to the Florida State Hospital, he said, just amazing that you can kill two people and get treated this way by the justice system. As long as you're a white kid, we all know this would not be the outcome if he were not who he is. For them, Austin will always be a cold blooded killer who knew exactly what he was doing. On the night of August 15, 2016.
- [125:35]
Courtney Brown
In the end, John Stevens III and Michelle Michon were brutally murdered. An act so violent, so unimaginable that it forever changed the lives of their loved ones and the town of Tequesta. And although Ivy Stevens moved away for a brief period, unable to live with the memories of what happened, she eventually returned as she believed her father and stepmother were would have wanted that. Today all she has are memoriesjohn's fishing poles hanging in the living room alongside Michelle's visor with her name written across the top. For her, there will never be closure. And as for Austin Haruff, he will remain at the Florida State Hospital under involuntary commitment. But one day Austin could be released and returned into society and the possibility of that will continue to haunt the loved ones of John and Michelle.
- [126:34]
Colin Brown
For today's episode, we will be making a donation to the Jed Foundation, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the mental health of young adults and college students. Hey everybody, thank you so much for listening to today's episode of Murder in America. Courtney and I are so thankful to have so many people that listen to this show every single week and we're just blessed. We're just really thankful that everybody has joined us on this journey. And yeah, we're just filled with gratefulness and we hope that you learned something during today's episode because we learn a lot every single week. If you want to support the work that we do here on the show, please consider joining us on Patreon. On Patreon, you can get access to early ad free versions of every episode of the show. So if you don't like the ads and you want to listen a day early, please please consider joining us there. And in addition on Patreon you can also get access to full length bonus episodes of Murder in America. These are full length episodes that will not ever be posted on the main feed. With both Courtney and I the same sound design and music. These bonus episodes sound exactly like something you would listen to on our main feed, but they are exclusively for our Patreon members. And thank you to everybody who has joined us on there. We are are so incredibly thankful. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @MurderinAmerica to see photos and videos from every case that we cover here on the show. And if you're listening to the show once again, please do not forget to give us a five star review wherever you're listening to the show, whether it's Apple, Podcasts, Spotify or another streaming platform. Those reviews are amazing, Courtney and I love to hear the feedback from you guys and it would be super helpful if you could take 10 seconds out of your day and do that for us. Anyways, y', all, it's the end of the episode. Thank you for tuning in. We will be back next week on Halloween with another episode of the show. I hope all of you guys have an absolutely incredible weekend. If you're celebrating Halloween, please be safe, do it safely. And yeah, I will see you guys on the next one. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Shifting a little money here, a little there and hoping it all works out well. With the name your price tool from Progressive, you can be a better budgeter and potentially lower your insurance bill too. You tell Progressive what you want to pay for car insurance and they'll help you find options within your budget. Try it today@progressive.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states. And now let's get back to our show.
- [129:27]
Courtney Brown
Here we have the Limu Emu in.
- [129:30]
Colin Brown
Its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual.
- [129:37]
Interviewer / Reporter
Fascinating.
- [129:38]
Colin Brown
It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug Limu.
- [129:42]
Courtney Brown
Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?
- [129:45]
Colin Brown
Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Very unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.