50949_WKBW_7_Problem_Solvers_658x90.png

Actions

Ingested chemicals might have led to face-biting incident, Florida sheriff says

Posted at 3:56 PM, Aug 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-23 09:40:14-04

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office says it is in a "holding pattern" investigating the vicious attack on a couple in their garage.

John Stevens and Michelle Mishcon Stevens were killed a week ago and a neighbor was seriously hurt trying to come to their aid.

RELATED: More coverage of the case

Detectives are at a standstill because the suspect, Austin Harrouff, remains in critical but stable condition in a hospital. They are waiting for him to become awake and alert.

In addition, they are waiting for toxicology results.

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder says Harrouff may have ingested some type of chemical and they continue to follow up on leads. “The hospital speculated based on what they saw in his body fluids that he had ingested something caustic from the garage.”

So far the only video they have turned up were pictures of Harrouff in a restaurant before the attack.

"Our detectives have checked all along the route our suspect would have walked and there doesn't appear to be any other videos that we're not aware of," Snyder said.

The sheriff said a pair of shorts was found about a mile from the crime scene that may have been Harrouff's.

When he is released from the hospital, Harrouff will be arrested on murder and attempted murder charges. Doctors believe Harrouff will be released from the hospital this week. 

Lab results in the case could still take a few weeks before they are released.

On Tuesday, detectives are expected to release radio transmission between deputies on the night of the attack.