A man charged with allegedly gunning down his brothers outside of a Highland Park home is scheduled to appear in a St. Louis courtroom today to determine whether he willingly will waive extradition to face murder charges in Illinois, court records show.
Jeffrey Austwick, 54, of the 1700 block of Park Avenue West in Highland Park, was ordered held without bond in front of a St. Louis County judge Monday, court records show.
The St. Louis County inmate locator says Jeffrey Austwick is due back in court June 11 for an extradition hearing. In addition, authorities in Illinois said they are waiting to hear from St. Louis whether Austwick waived extradition.
The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force identified Jeffrey Austwick as the person who shot brothers John Austwick, 60, of Mundelein, and Marc Austwick, 63, of Lake Forest, outside their deceased mother’s Highland Park home at 3:50 a.m. on June 5.
Authorities said the preliminary investigation shows brothers Marc and John Austwick went to the house to discuss the property with their brother, Jeffrey.
The home was owned by the mother of the three Austwicks, but she recently passed away, authorities said.
After the two brothers arrived at the home, Jeffrey Austwick allegedly shot his brothers, then set the house on fire, authorities said.
After Jeffrey Austwick fled the area, investigators obtained a nationwide arrest warrant for him on two counts of murder.
He was taken into custody Friday morning by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police, authorities said.
A Facebook post released by St. Louis Metropolitan Police said Austwick was spotted hiding in some bushes near Walnut and 7th streets near the St. Louis Arch.
Authorities also said he was armed with a gun.
At 3:50 a.m. on June 5, the Highland Park Police Department and Highland Park Fire Department responded to the 1700 block of Park Avenue West in Highland Park after a neighbor reported the house was on fire.
Firefighters arrived to find the house was heavily involved in flames.
While evaluating the fire, firefighters found Marc and Jeffrey Austwick dead in the grass outside of the home.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed later both men died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Firefighters eventually extinguished the fire with the help of other fire departments.
A crime scene was immediately established and numerous police and fire investigators, including personnel from the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Authorities said the murder of the brothers in Highland Park appeared to be isolated and there was no threat to the community.
Park Avenue West between Ridge Road and Sunnyside Avenue was shut down Wednesday and Thursday due to the investigation.