The former owner of the iconic Home Alone house has been found dead in Illinois.
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John Abendshien, 79, died just days after facing serious criminal charges.
Authorities discovered his body at the Lake Forest Open Lands: Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve in Lake Forest on Wednesday evening.
NBC Chicago reports that officials located him shortly before 6PM.
Home Alone House Owner Found Dead Days After Charges
Authorities identified Abendshien the following morning.
Officials reported the preliminary cause of death as "asphyxia in a manner consistent with being self-inflicted."
"This is believed to be an isolated incident with no threat to the community at this time," the Lake County Coroner's Office said.
The development came just days after Abendshien was taken into custody. He had been facing multiple felony charges related to possession of child p—-ography.
A court had released him with conditions following a detention hearing earlier in April.
Police have since opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death, with further details expected as the case develops.
Property Became Cultural Landmark After Film Release
Abendshien was best known as the longtime owner of the famous Home Alone house, located in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka.
He lived at the property, 671 Lincoln Avenue, during the filming of the 1990 holiday classic.
His family later sold the five-bedroom home in 2012 for $1.585 million, according to Chicago Agent Magazine and the New York Post.
Since the film's release, the house has remained a major tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world eager to see a piece of movie history.
Reports claim that "more than 100 visitors daily" still visit the home to take photos inspired by the film.
"It's like a childhood dream," Maciej and Grzegorz, two visitors from Poland, told NBC Chicago in 2025.
While the exterior of the property remains largely unchanged from its on-screen appearance, the interior has undergone several renovations over the years.
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