Highland Park man accused of killing brothers found shot to death – NBC Chicago

Note: The video in the player above is from a previous report.

The younger brother of the two men found shot to death at the scene of a Highland Park house fire has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with their slayings, authorities said.

According to the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, Jeffrey Austwick, 54, was arrested in a St. Louis park early Friday morning. Austwick fled the area in his vehicle after his two brothers were murdered.

Marc Austwick, 63, and John Austwick, 60, were both found dead around 3:50 a.m. Wednesday at the scene of a house fire in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West.

Authorities said a preliminary investigation determined that Jeffrey Austwick, whose address listed, was in the home in the 1700 block of Park Avenue West that belonged to the three men's mother, who recently died.

Officials said they believe Marc and John Austwick arrived at the Park Avenue West home to discuss the property with Jeffrey.

Shortly after their arrival, Jeffrey shot the two brothers before setting the house on fire and fleeing the scene in his vehicle, authorities said. It is unclear whether there was a verbal or physical altercation that led to the killings.

Jeffrey Austwick remains in custody in Missouri, awaiting an initial court hearing.

When first responders initially arrived Wednesday morning, two adult males believed to be related were found outside the home with “suspicious injuries,” according to police.

The Lake County Coroner's Office confirmed later Thursday that the two men both died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene and the fire was extinguished by firefighters, with no other victims located inside or outside the residence, authorities said.

There is currently no further information available.