A "sweet and happy" little boy was found hanging lifeless from an alligator's mouth after his dad allegedly threw him into a lake while he was still alive.
Thomas Mosley, 21, allegedly turned on his four-year-old Taylen after butchering his girlfriend and the mom of his child, Pashun Jeffrey, 20, byallegedly stabbing her more than 100 times.
Mosley was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and was shown covered in bandages in his jail booking photographs.
The search began when Taylen's little body was discovered between the jaws of a ravenous gator near St Petersburg in Florida.
A law enforcement officer released a hail of bullets into the beast so that they could retrieve the youngster's corpse.
St Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said:" We are sorry it has had to end this way."
Meanwhile, Ms Jeffrey's body was reportedly found in her apartment on Thursday covered with more than 100 laceration wounds in a "very violent scene".
Beneath her bed, a bloody fingerprint was found on a cleaning bottle that had been left there "intentionally".
A blood-soaked shoe print with a 'Gucci' emblem was also found on the bathroom floor.
The accused was arrested after he took himself to hospital for wounds on his arms.
Authorities allege his wounds are "consistent with injuries caused by slippage during a knife attack."
On March 29, Mosley arrived at his mother's house at around 9pm with "'severe lacerations to both of his hands and arms
consistent with injuries caused by slippage during a knife attack."
Police allege Mosley travelled to Lake Maggiore before arriving at his mother's house and threw his son into the lake while he was still alive.
Jeffrey and Taylen were last seen on March 29, at around 5.30pm. A welfare check was called by Jeffrey's family the next day when they were unable to contact her.
Police were not called on March 29 when a commotion was heard at 8.30pm.
The accused was at Jeffrey's home in the late afternoon as they celebrated his birthday with her family.
Mosley was seen in the wheelchair as he was booked by officers and his bandaged wrists appeared to be clasped together with zip ties.
A spokesperson for Sixth Judicial Circuit Public Defender Sara Mollo said in a statement: "Due to the extremely serious allegations surrounding these tragic losses, our investigation is currently focused on gathering information about the facts and circumstances of the case, as well as our client's mental state."
A GoFundMe has since been set up for a memorial to the deceased mum and son and has so far raised $37,790 (£30,259).
The page, set up on behalf of the family, said Taylen was a "sweet and happy" young boy.
It read: "Taylen was a sweet and happy toddler and loved his mom. During Pashun's work breaks, she would Facetime so that she could spend every moment possible with him.
"During the day, Taylen would grab anyone's phone and pretend to call his mom. To see them together and their love for each other was a blessing. We will remember their love and will keep them in our hearts. "
