Husband and Wife Stabbed to Death While Riding Their Bikes Home: Police

A husband and wife were stabbed to death while they were riding their bikes back to their home in Daytona Beach, Florida, according to police.

The double homicide happened in the 700 block of North Wild Olive Avenue and police were alerted to the crime early on Sunday morning, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said both victims suffered multiple stab wounds and lacerations.

In a series of Twitter posts shared on Sunday, Young said: “@DaytonaBchPD is currently investigating a double homicide that occurred overnight in the 700 block of N. Wild Olive. Both victims suffered multiple stab wounds and lacerations. Suspect information is limited to double homicide.

“A male unknown race wearing white or light-colored pants and possibly a backpack. Motive is unknown. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact @DaytonaBchPD Detective Howell at 671-5257.”

Young told NBC affiliate WESH: “The (911) caller advised that two people laying in the grass here and it appeared to be a hit and run.

“Upon arrival, once we observed the injuries, we quickly realized that this was anything but a hit and run and we noticed the multiple stab wounds and that their throats had been slashed.

“So, I gotta be honest with you, this is probably one of the most vicious and gruesome incidents that I’ve witnessed in my 20 years.”

Young confirmed the victims were married and said the attack did not appear to be a robbery. He said the couple appeared to have been on their way home.

Newsweek has contacted the Daytona Police Department for comment.

Those convicted of first-degree murder could face the death penalty in Florida or life in prison without parole, according to legal firm Powers, Sellers and Finkelstein.

It said: “If convicted of murder in the second degree you face a lengthy term of imprisonment not to exceed life in prison.”

While murder in the third degree requires the defendant committed the crime “without any design to effect death” and carries a punishment of 15 years in prison, according to the legal firm.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,530 homicides in the state of Florida in 2020.

The number of homicides in the state increased from 1,334 in 2019, which in turn was a rise on the 1,315 in 2018. In 2017 there were 1,269 homicides in Florida and the year before officials counted 1,294 killings.

Newsweek has previously reported on numerous stabbing cases, a crime that has continued to plague communities across the U.S.

In February, two people were stabbed inside a Meijer store on Clyde Park Avenue in Wyoming, Michigan.

Police “were able to locate two victims inside the store and provided aid to them before both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment,” according to the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.