A Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman has confirmed one male is in custody and being questioned regarding a double murder in Highland Park early Wednesday morning.
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force spokesman Christopher Covelli said additional details will be released by authorities later Friday, but confirmed one male was taken into custody Friday morning for his involvement in the Highland Park incident at 3:50 a.m. June 7.
Early Wednesday, June 5, two brothers – 63-year-old Marc Austwick, of Lake Forest, and brother, 60-year-old John Austwick, of Mundelein – were found dead outside of a burning house in Highland Park, authorities said.
Highland Park’s Police and Fire Departments responded to the residential structure fire and the two adult male victims were found by firefighters in the grass outside the home suffering from “suspicious injuries” in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West Wednesday morning.
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene while firefighters extinguished the fire, authorities said.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office later confirmed Wednesday evening each victim died of multiple gunshot wounds.
No other victims were located inside or outside of the home, authorities said.
Based on the victims’ injuries, Highland Park Police requested the assistance of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, authorities said.
The Glencoe, Lincolnshore-Riverwoods, Lake Forest, Deerfield, Northbrook, Northfield, and Long Grove assisted the Highland Park Fire Department in snuffing out the fire, authorities said.
Park Avenue West between Ridge Road and Sunnyside Avenue was shut down Wednesday and Thursday because of the fire and the police investigation.
Based on preliminary information, authorities said the incident appeared to be isolated and there was no additional threat to the community.