Brothers Found Dead Outside Burning Highland Park Home Were Shot To Death, Coroner Reports

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Two men found dead outside a burning home in Highland Park early Wednesday morning were shot to death, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office.

The men were found with "suspicious injuries," authorities said Wednesday morning.

The men were identified as brothers Marc Austwick, 63, and John Austwick, 60, by the Lake County Coroner's Office.

Neighbors told WGN that a mother and son had lived in the home until the mother died last week, identifying her as Phyllis Austwick.

An obituary for 84-year-old Phyllis Austwick, who died Friday, says she was a mother of five, including sons Marc and John Austwick. A memorial service for her was scheduled for this Sunday in Highland Park.

---

Shortly before 4 a.m. Wednesday, fire crews were dispatched to the blaze in the 1700 block of Park Avenue, where they found flames coming from the roof.

While extinguishing the fire, firefighters discovered the men's bodies in the vicinity of the home at 1726 Park Ave. West, which had a sign outside indicating that it was for sale.

A search of the home for other victims came up empty.

The coroner's office said both Marc Austwick, of Lake Forest, and John Austwick, of Mundelein, had been shot multiple times. Their deaths were preliminarily ruled homicides.

The Lake County Major Crimes Task Force is assisting Highland Park authorities with the investigation. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

"Based on preliminary information gathered thus far, this incident appears to be isolated, and there is no known threat to the community," said task force spokesperson Chris Covelli.

Investigators from various state and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, also known as ATF, were spotted at the scene.

Park Avenue West was closed between Ridge Road and Sunnyside Avenue as a result of the fire, with a detour established at Ridge Road and Park Avenue.

UPDATE: Arrest Made In Fatal Shootings Of Brothers Found At Highland Park House Fire