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Former ‘Home Alone’ House Owner Found Dead Days After Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

Officials reported a self-inflicted manner of death.

Overview

  • The 79-year-old was found Wednesday evening at Lake Forest’s Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve, and a preliminary autopsy later found asphyxia consistent with being self-inflicted.
  • Police had arrested him April 16 after multiple cyber tips led to a search warrant tied to an Internet Crimes Against Children probe and the seizure of electronic evidence, and he was released with conditions after an April 17 hearing.
  • His wife reported him missing earlier Wednesday, and officers located his body during a search of the preserve.
  • Prosecutors said numerous images of children ages 4 to 15 were found in a Google Drive account linked to him, and that he admitted owning the account and certain images.
  • Authorities said they do not suspect foul play, called the case an isolated incident with no wider threat, and said both the criminal and death investigations remain open.