A former owner of the iconic ‘Home Alone’ house has been found dead from a suspected suicide at an Illinois nature preserve, just days after he was charged with child pornography offenses.
John Abendshien’s body was discovered in the Lake Forest Open Lands: Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve in Lake Forest shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, according to NBC Chicago.
The 79-year-old was identified the following morning, and the preliminary cause of death was ruled as asphyxia in a manner consistent with being self-inflicted, the outlet reported.
Police have launched an investigation into his death. “This is believed to be an isolated incident with no threat to the community at this time,” the Lake County Coroner’s Office stated.
Abendshien was the longtime owner of the famous house featured in the beloved 1990 Christmas film. He lived in the ‘Home Alone’ house while the movie was being filmed.
He later released a memoir, “Home but Alone No More,” detailing life inside his home that became the backdrop for the iconic Christmas movie. His family sold the five-bedroom home in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka in 2012 for $1.585 million, according to Chicago Agent Magazine.
Earlier this month, the Lake County State Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into Abendshien over alleged possession of child pornography. Officials had received multiple cyber tips reporting an online account linked to Abendshien being used in the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The Lake Forest Police Department executed a search warrant at his home on April 16 and seized electronic evidence. Abendshien was subsequently charged with seven felonies: three counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (Class 2 felony) and four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material (Class 3 felony). He was released with conditions after attending a detention hearing on April 17.
