Two people were found deceased at the scene of a house fire on Park Avenue West in Highland Park early Wednesday, June 5, 2024, and police canvassed a neighbor, showed her a picture of a man, and asked if she ever saw the man before. (Erik Runge/WGN News). YouTube Tips ⓘ
BROTHER MURDER SUSPECT …
A male suspected wanted in the shooting deaths of Marc and John Austwick is in custody, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office announcement today, Friday, June 7, 2024. Highland Park Police Investigators and Lake County Major Crime Task Force Investigators obtained evidence that Jeffrey S. Austwick, 54, of the 1700 block of Park Avenue West, Highland Park, was responsible for shooting his brothers, Marc and John.
A preliminary investigation indicates Marc and John went to the Park Avenue West home to discuss the property with Jeffrey. The property was owned by the mother of the three, and she recently passed away. The investigation shows after they arrived, Jeffrey shot Marc and John, then set the home on fire. Jeffrey then fled from the area in his vehicle.
Investigators obtained a nationwide arrest warrant for Jeffrey late in the day on June 5, 2024 for two counts of murder. On June 7, 2024, at approximately 5:30 a.m., Jeffrey was arrested at a park in St. Louis, Missouri by local authorities.
Jeffrey Austwick on Friday evening is in custody in Missouri, pending an initial court hearing.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The booking photo was initially unavailable.
— Lake County Sheriff’s Office
A suspected shooter is in custody in the investigation of the deaths of two brothers, Marc Austwick and John Austwick, found at the scene of a house fire on Park Avenue West in Highland Park very early Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
Additional details are expected to be released later today, Friday, June 7, 2024, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The identities of the brothers were released Wednesday night, June 5, 2024 regarding two deceased men, who were found outside an intense house fire on Park Avenue West in Highland Park. The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the men as brothers, 63-year-old Marc Austwick, of Lake Forest, and 60-year-old John Austwick, of Mundelein. On Wednesday, June 5, 2024, autopsies were conducted at the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Autopsy results indicate that both of the deceased men died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds.
The Lake County Major Crime Task Force and Highland Park Police Department immediately began investigating the deaths of the two brothers found outside a house fire scene.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office initially announced earlier today that around 3:50 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2024, Highland Park police and firefighters responded to a residential structure fire in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West. After arriving, two adult male victims (who were believed to be related) were located outside of the home with suspicious injuries. Both of the victims were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Firefighters extinguished the fire, and no other victims were located inside or outside of the home.
Based on the victims’ injuries, Highland Park Police requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, preliminary information indicates the incident is isolated, and that there is no known threat to the community.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and autopsies on the victims were immediately scheduled.
Both the fire and death investigations remain active, and additional information will be released as it is available, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The afternoon press release did not indicate whether the fire appeared to be intentionally set.
INITIAL REPORT …
Two people were found deceased at the scene of fire in a one-story home in Highland Park overnight.
Police, firefighters, and paramedics from Highland Park responded about 3:50 a.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2024 to a report of a house fire in the block of 1700 Park Avenue West in Highland Park. A 9-1-1 caller reported that a neighbor’s house had fire showing through the roof. Very large flames were visible from the house.
Firefighters elevated the fire department response to a Confirmed Fire Response by 3:53 a.m.
Battalion 33 reported a single-family home with fire through the roof.
The bodies of the two people were recovered by 3:57 a.m. while firefighters were also working to extinguish the house fire. Their identities were not initially disclosed.
No other injuries were reported.
Park Avenue West was closed between Ridge Road and Sunnyside Avenue in Highland Park.
The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, and ATF were assigned to the scene to assist local fire investigators with the investigation. The Lake County Coroner’s
The home has been for sale since November 2023.
Firefighters battled a blaze at a home in Highland Park Wednesday morning where two people were found deceased (FOX 32 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
The information in this article is an early report published before complete summary information was confirmed or released by police or fire authorities.
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