Death of two brothers found outside Highland Park fire investigated as homicide

The deaths of two brothers who were found with multiple gunshot wounds are being investigated as homicides after a fire tore through a home early Wednesday in north suburban Highland Park.

Around 4 a.m., firefighters from Highland Park and neighboring departments responded to reports of a house on fire in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West. Upon arriving on scene, they found two bodies of adult males outside the home with “suspicious injuries,” according to Christopher Covelli, chief deputy with the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The Lake County Coroner's Office identified them as brothers Marc Austwick, 63, of Lake Forest, and John Austwick, 60, of Mundelein. An autopsy found they died from multiple gunshot wounds, but the office did not release further details.

Authorities have not determined the cause of the fire, but Covelli said the deaths are being investigated as homicides.

At 11 a.m., seven hours after first responders arrived, a small crowd of firefighters and police remained at the scene and the house was cordoned off with yellow police tape. The roof of the one-story house was burned and collapsed. The left side of the house was mostly intact.

City officials were unable to confirm Wednesday whether the home was vacant or occupied at the time of the fire, a Highland Park spokesperson said.

Neighbors said they were stunned when they woke up early Wednesday to find the house on fire and the heavy police presence in their neighborhood.

Tom Stewart, 73, who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years, said he had never seen “anything like this.”

“I thought if it was a routine fire, the fire department would come take care of it,” Stewart said. “But there is clearly more involvement [with the police activity].”

Lisa Spathis said she had a “clear view” of the fire from her bedroom window.

“You don’t think that happens here,” Spathis, 58, said. “This is insane.”

Another neighbor, who declined to give his name, said his dogs started barking because of the commotion. He called 911 and stayed inside, he said.

“I thought it looked like Mars,” he said, describing the fire. “I remember a red flash.”

Video footage from a neighbor showed firefighters with flashlights circling the house as red and blue emergency lights flashed in the distance. The roof was engulfed in flames, sending clouds of smoke into the sky.

Neighbors described the neighborhood as quiet and residential.

But Stewart said he wasn't concerned about the safety of the neighborhood after the bodies were discovered. He assumed it was an isolated incident, he said.

“There are no sidewalks. The houses are well separated,” Stewart said. “We know some of the neighbors, but there is a large part of the street that we don’t know. »

Neighbors said they didn't know the home's residents well. The home is listed for sale on Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for $549,000.

The owner, an elderly woman, died a few days ago, according to Covelli.

The Highland Park Fire Department is investigating the fire along with the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force.

The city of Highland Park has not commented on the cause of the fire. No other victims were found inside or outside the home, police said.

“Based on preliminary information gathered so far, this incident appears to be isolated and there is no known threat to the community,” Covelli said in an email.

“I hope I never wake up to this again,” Spathis said. “It’s not planned at 4 a.m.”