The former owner of the iconic “Home Alone” house was found dead in a Lake Forest nature preserve Wednesday, days after Lake Forest police charged him with seven felony counts of possessing child sex abuse material.
John Abendshein, 79, of Lake Forest, was discovered around 5:47 p.m. at the Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve in the Lake Forest Open Lands. The Lake County Coroner’s Office identified the body and said preliminary autopsy results showed he died of asphyxia in a manner consistent with suicide. Lake Forest police and the coroner continue to investigate the circumstances.
Abendshein was arrested April 16 after a search warrant at his home in the 100 block of Morris Lane. The warrant stemmed from an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation prompted by multiple cyber tips. Police said an online account linked to him was used to possess, manufacture or distribute child sex abuse material. He appeared in court the next day and was released with conditions.
Abendshein owned the Winnetka house at 671 Lincoln Avenue during the 1990 filming of “Home Alone.” He lived there for decades and later wrote a memoir about the experience. He sold the property in 2012 and was not the current owner. He had resided in Lake Forest at the time of his death.
Allegedly had 100 or more child porn images
Allegedly had 100 or more child porn images
