The former owner of the iconic Home Alone house in Chicago has been found dead just days after his arrest on charges related to child sexual abuse material. John Abendshien, 79, was discovered by police officers at approximately 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday in the Lake Forest Open Lands Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve, according to Lake & McHenry County Scanner. Prior to this discovery, his wife had reported him missing earlier that day, just before 4 p.m., prompting authorities to launch an extensive search operation involving drones and K9 units.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek confirmed that Abendshien was pronounced dead at the scene due to asphyxia, in a manner consistent with a self-inflicted act. This tragic event follows his release from Lake County Jail on April 17, after he was formally charged with seven counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. Abendshien had owned the famous residence featured in the 1990 classic film Home Alone for several decades. He recounted to NBC Chicago in 2025 that he lived in the home during the movie's filming, before eventually selling the property in 2012.
Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief Michael Lange informed Lake & McHenry County Scanner that officials executed a search warrant at Abendshien's current address just days prior to his death on April 17. Lange stated that the investigation was initiated following a cyber tip indicating that Abendshien had allegedly been associated with an online account used for the 'possession, manufacture, or distribution' of child sexual abuse material. Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Colleen McConnell revealed that numerous photographs of children aged between four and 15, in various states of undress, were discovered in Abendshien's Google Drive account. Additional content allegedly depicted a subject who appeared to be deceased, according to the outlet. McConnell noted that Abendshien admitted to owning the account and asserted that no one else had access to it. The Assistant State's Attorney further added that he allegedly confessed to possessing three images of a female child under 13 years old who was nude.
In response to the case, Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke stated, 'These cases are deeply concerning, and we are committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those involved. We will continue working closely with our law enforcement partners to protect children and ensure community safety.' During Abendshien's hearing on April 17, Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Patrick Windmoeller disclosed that the suspect had written a fictional story about a real woman, with the main character following the woman to her home and sexually assaulting her at gunpoint. Abendshien allegedly admitted to writing another story about his 14-year-old neighbor, Windmoeller added. Attorneys representing Abendshien argued that he had a practically flawless record and did not pose a real and present danger to others.
