The body of John Abendshien, who was charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material on Wednesday, April 16, 2026, was discovered in the Lake Forest Open Lands: Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve in Lake Forest about 5:47 p.m. Wednesday, April 22 — one week after he was arrested and released pre-trial.
According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, the body discovered in Lake Forest Open Lands: Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve in Lake Forest has been identified as 79-year-old John Abendshien of Lake Forest. An autopsy was completed on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that John Abendshien died from asphyxia in a manner consistent with being self-inflicted. The coroner’s report released to the public did not indicate where the asphyxiation might have occurred, but that the circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation by Lake Forest Police Department and the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
According to the Lake Forest Police Department, on Wednesday, April 16, 2026, members of the Lake Forest Police Department, in coordination with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, executed a search warrant at a residence in the block of 100 block of Morris Lane as part of an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation.
The search warrant was supported by multiple cyber tips indicating that an online account associated with the suspect had been used in the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse material. The warrant was executed without incident, and electronic evidence was recovered from the residence.
John M. Abendshien of Lake Forest was taken into custody. After being interviewed by investigators, Abendshien was charged with seven felony offenses, including:
• Three (3) counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (Class 2 Felony)
• Four (4) counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (Class 3 Felony)
Abendshien attended a detention hearing Thursday, April 17, 2026 in Lake County, and the petition to detain him was denied. He was released with conditions.
“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.”
— Police Chief John Burke
The Lake Forest Police Department worked in partnership with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Cyber Investigations, including assistance from K9 Grip, during the execution of the warrant.
The investigation of the death of John M. Abendshien remains an active investigation as investigators continue to process evidence.
John Abendshien was featured in People magazine and the Record North Shore regarding the experience of living in the “Home Alone” house, located in Winnetka, during filming from January to May, 1990.
Abendshien, a retired healthcare strategy and policy expert, lived in the Christmas classic movie “Home Alone” house with his wife when the movie was being filmed in Winnetka. The couple moved out of the “Home Alone” house in 2012, and moved into an apartment in Lake Forest.
Former ‘Home Alone’ house owner charged with possession of child sex abuse material found dead in nature preserve in Lake County (WGN News). YouTube Tips ⓘ
HOME ALONE FILM LOCATIONS …
HOME ALONE (1990) Filming Locations | Winnetka, IL (Chicago Area) | THEN & NOW! (SOURCE: Going to the Movies). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Abendshein witnessed the filming of John Hughes film “16 Candles” in his neighborhood in Evanston in 1983 before he moved to Winnetka …
Home Alone house owner John Abendshien used to own the house from the Home Alone film, and his new book gives the untold story of the iconic Home Alone house, in the Chicago area, in a memoir called Home But Alone No More. The iconic movie with Macaulay Culkin came out in 1990 (Mike Pache/LiveNOW from FOX). YouTube Tips ⓘ
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Felony Charges Filed Following Internet Crimes Against Children Investigation
Lake Forest Police Department Case 26-3282
