DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach police say the man responsible for the "gruesome" murder of a husband and wife, who were found with their throats slashed on the side of the road, has been arrested.
"I’m pleased to announce that we have arrested the man responsible for the murders of Brenda Aultman and Terry Aultman," Chief Jakari Young tweeted.
The police department first announced the arrest of Jean R. Macean on social media, thanking the U.S. Marshals Service, Orange County Sheriff's Office and Orlando Police Department for their assistance in bringing him into custody.
During a press conference, Young says the 32-year-old was arrested around 11 a.m. outside his Orlando home. Macean faces two counts of first-degree murder.
“The main purpose for this press conference today is to inform the residents of this city and the visitors of this city that the suspect responsible for committing these heinous crimes is in custody in hopes that everyone can now breath a sigh of relief," Young said.
According to police, Macean is still being questioned by investigators but shared that he arrived in the Daytona Beach area by bus on Saturday only to leave one day later "by unknown means."
Brenda's daughter also spoke at the press conference saying, she lost her best friend, and the world lost the most amazing, selfless and caring person.
“I didn’t prepare to say anything because this is a nightmare that I never expected could ever happen. This isn’t real. It doesn’t feel real. And I don’t think it will ever feel real," she said.
Her daughter also called Macean a monster and asked that people keep her family in their thoughts and prayers as they deal with the "pain and destruction" that's followed.
“This is just a reminder of just the evil that exists in our society today," Young added.
Police began investigating the Aultman's murder around 2 a.m. on Sunday after responding to a call for a possible hit-and-run when someone reported seeing two people lying in the grass.
But when they arrived, police noticed the couple had multiple stab wounds and that their throats had been slashed, Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said in an interview posted by WESH 2 reporter Claire Metz.
Investigators say they believe the couple was riding their bicycles home from Main Street, where the Daytona Bike Week motorcycle event is being held, when the attack happened.
Surveillance video from the night of the attack is said to have "painted a picture" for police.
At this time, police say they still don't have a motive for the “random, senseless act of violence that should have never occurred.” Macean's criminal history includes one felony and two misdemeanor drug-related charges, according to the police department.