Highland Park, Illinois – A tragic incident unfolded at a house fire in Highland Park where the bodies of two brothers were found with fatal gunshot wounds. Authorities have charged the younger brother, Jeffrey Austwick, with two counts of murder in connection to the killings of Marc Austwick, 63, and John Austwick, 60. The Lake County Major Crime Task Force reported that Jeffrey Austwick was apprehended in St. Louis after fleeing the scene in his vehicle.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Jeffrey Austwick resided at the home in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West, which was owned by the brothers’ recently deceased mother. The siblings had reportedly gone to the residence to discuss the property with Jeffrey, leading to a violent altercation that ended in tragedy. Jeffrey allegedly shot both brothers before setting the house on fire and escaping the scene.
The urgency of the situation was evident when first responders arrived at the scene and discovered the two men with fatal injuries outside the burning house. The Lake County Coroner’s office later confirmed that both Marc and John Austwick died from multiple gunshot wounds. Thankfully, responding firefighters were able to contain the fire without the discovery of any additional victims on the premises.
Jeffrey Austwick is currently in custody in Missouri, awaiting an initial court hearing to address the charges of murder. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the potential motives behind the violent confrontation. The community in Highland Park is left reeling from the tragedy, as they grapple with the loss of two beloved members.
As the case unfolds, more details may emerge to shed light on the events that led to the deaths of the Austwick brothers. The legal proceedings will provide an opportunity for justice to be served, but the emotional scars left by this horrific incident will undoubtedly linger in the hearts of those who knew and loved Marc and John Austwick.