2 brothers found shot to death after house fire in north Chicago suburb of Highland Park
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) — Two brothers were found dead after a house fire in north suburban Highland Park Wednesday morning, and it was determined that they both died of multiple gunshot wounds.
The brothers were identified as Marc Austwick, 63, of Lake Forest, and John Austwick, 60, of Mundelein. Autopsies determined both men died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Lake County Coroner's office.
Highland Park officials said multiple fire departments responded to reports of flames coming from the house's roof in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West just before 4 a.m. A massive amount of fire was seen shooting through the roof.
The flames became so intense that at least seven fire departments from neighboring communities were called in to put out the fire.
Julie Smith lives 11 houses away from the scene. She said she got a text from the City of Highland Park early Wednesday morning that woke her up.
"Neighborhood alert, and when they said it was the 1700 block of Park, I used to live at 1690 – so of course, I was a little bit panicked about my neighbors," Smith said.
Outside the house, two adult men who turned out to be brothers were found dead with suspicious injuries.
A neighbor said their dog alerted them to the fire. Their window was hot to the touch, and the fire looked like an inferno.
Park Avenue was closed between Ridge Road and Sunnyside Avenue after the fire. With the light of day, smoke was still billowing from the house.
Smith said a woman who lived in the home died this past week. She said for the most part, the family kept to themselves.
"I think it was her son who had a yellow lab years ago. There's no way that dog is still alive. We both had yellow labs. I'd be out walking, he'd be out walking, and the labs would get along – and that was really all I know about my neighbors," Smith said.
The home had a for-sale sign in front of it. It was put on the market more than six months ago.
Highland Park police, the U.S. Marshal K9, the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were all called to the scene.
Police were seen taking pictures, and metal detectors were also being used on the lawn.
"It's really quiet neighborhood, so I think everyone's a little upset, and worried, and feels horrible – because it's a neighbor," Smith said.
The Coroner's office did not specify whether the manners of the two brothers' deaths were both homicides.
Both the fire and death investigations remain active, according to the Coroner's office. The office believes the incident is isolated, and there is no threat to the community.
The Lake County Sheriff's office said no one was in custody Wednesday night, but detectives were making significant progress in their investigation.
