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The disgraced former owner of the iconic “Home Alone” home was found dead from a suspected suicide at an Illinois nature preserve days after he was hit with child pornography charges.
John Abendshien’s body was discovered in the Lake Forest Open Lands: Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve in Lake Forest just before 6 p.m. on Wednesday, NBC Chicago reported.
The 79-year-old was identified the next morning and a preliminary cause of death was ruled to be “asphyxia in a manner consistent with being self-inflicted,” according to the outlet.
Police have opened an investigation into his death.
“This is believed to be an isolated incident with no threat to the community at this time,” the Lake County Coroner’s Office said, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Abendshien was the longtime owner of the famed red-brick Colonial featured in the beloved 1990 Christmas film.
His family sold the five-bedroom home in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka back in 2012 for $1.585 million, according to Chicago Agent Magazine.
Earlier this month, the Lake County State Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into Abendshien over alleged child pornography possession.
Officials had received multiple cyber tips reporting an online account linked to Abendshien of being used in the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse material, officials said.
The Lake Forest Police Department executed a search warrant at his home on April 16 and seized electronic evidence.
Abendshien was later charged with seven felonies: three counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (Class 2 Felony) and four counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (Class 3 Felony).
He was released with conditions after he attended a detention hearing on April 17.
Abendshien had lived in the “Home Alone” house while the movie was being filmed.
He later released a memoir, “Home but Alone No More,” detailing life inside his home turned into the iconic Christmas movie backdrop.
“We had a large master bedroom suite that we converted into an apartment,” he told ABC. “As long as we kept out of the camera eye, we were free to roam and watch scenes as they were being filmed.”
The 6-bath estate has changed hands at least twice since the Abendshien family sold it.
The newest owners, who purchased the property for $5.5 million in January 2025, have sought to restore the manse to its blockbuster movie glory, when little Kevin McCallister roamed the empty dwelling after being forgotten by his large family on Christmas vacation.
“Our vision is to bring back the warmth and just the love from the movie,” project manager Scott Price told NBC Chicago. “There [were] so many great colors and it just made you feel like family and like home and we want to bring that magic back.”
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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