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Couple Arrested for Murder of Missing Steinhatchee Man

Aaron Tappe
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STEINHATCHEE, FL (WTXL) - UPDATE: 3/19/16

Time is running out for Two Taylor County murder suspects to fight extradition back to Florida. 

20-year-old Douglas Mihal and his teenage girlfriend are being held in the Kern county jail in Bakersfield.

The two were taken into custody last week by U.S Marshals. 

Officials say the couple is connected to the death of 38-year-old Aaron Tappe whose body was found last week in Steinhatchee.

The Kern County Sheriff's office says they have until Tuesday to contest the charges.

The sheriff's office says they can only hold them for 5 days.

Mihal is being held without bond on felony murder and grand theft charges.

no word on what charges his girlfriend faces.

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Two people were arrested in California for the murder of a Steinhatchee man who was reported missing in January.

According to deputies, 20-year-old Douglas Mihal from Ohio and his 17-year-old girlfriend were arrested in Bakersfield, California Thursday.

Both are being held on charges of first degree homicide and grand theft auto.

According to deputies, 38-year-old Aaron Michael Tappe went missing from his Taylor County home in late January. They recovered his body last week in Steinhatchee.

Deputies said Mihal and his girlfriend fled to California after the murder.

Both suspects will be extradited back to Florida.