$28K Raised For Family Of Young Chef Killed In Mundelein Murder-Suicide

LAKE BLUFF, IL — A 22-year-old Lake Bluff man who was among five people killed in a Mundelein murder-suicide last month is being remembered as a kind and talented young chef with a promising future ahead of him.

Maclaine Schmidt was pursuing his passion for cooking and building a career in restaurant kitchens across the North Shore when he was fatally shot Oct. 18, according to a GoFundMe campaign established to support his grieving family.

The fundraiser has raised more than $27,000 to help Maclaine's mother, Shelby Schmidt, and Anthony Nunnery with funeral arrangements, counseling and other expenses following his death.

Friends described Maclaine as a gentle, kind young man who was finding his own path in the culinary world.

At the time of his death, he was working as a line cook at Follia in Lake Forest, where colleagues remembered his dedication and strong work ethic, according to the Daily Herald.

Follia general manager Adriano Bruzzone, who helped organize the fundraiser, told the Daily Herald that Maclaine regularly arrived early for his shifts and stayed late. He also stepped up to help when the restaurant unexpectedly lost its head chef.

“He really enjoyed what he was doing,” Bruzzone said. “He had a passion for it.”

The 22-year-old had worked in several Chicago-area restaurant kitchens and was continuing to develop his skills and pursue his love of the culinary arts.

"The pride Shelby and Anthony felt in him was clear to everyone who knew them, and his passing has left an enormous void in the lives of all who loved him," organizers wrote on the fundraiser.

Five Found Dead In Mundelein Home

Maclaine was one of four people fatally shot by his father, 51-year-old Bryan Schmidt, inside a home in the 200 block of Wellington Avenue in Mundelein on Oct. 18, according to police.

Bryan Schmidt, recently of Antioch and formerly of Lake Bluff, is believed to have killed the four victims between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. before turning the gun on himself, according to a previous Patch report.

The other victims were Bryan Schmidt's parents, James Schmidt, 80, and Rebecca Schmidt, 77, both of Mundelein, and his longtime girlfriend, Nicole Heiser, 37, recently of Antioch and formerly of Lake Bluff.

James and Rebecca Schmidt were retired veterinarians with longstanding ties to the Lake County community. Rebecca Schmidt founded the Northern Illinois Cat Clinic in Libertyville, a veterinary practice specializing in feline care that has since closed.

Police believe Bryan Schmidt shot all four victims in close proximity to one another before fatally shooting himself.

Authorities were called to the home at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 18 after a concerned family member requested a well-being check when they were unable to contact one of the victims. Responding officers entered the residence and discovered all five adults dead.

Autopsies conducted by the Lake County Coroner's Office determined that Maclaine Schmidt and Heiser each died from a gunshot wound to the head. James and Rebecca Schmidt died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Bryan Schmidt died from an intraoral gunshot wound to the head, according to the coroner's office.

Investigators recovered multiple suicide notes left by Bryan Schmidt at the scene and inside his vehicle, along with electronic devices slated for forensic examination, according to Mundelein police. Police said they had no prior contact with Bryan Schmidt or any of the victims. Investigators were continuing to work to determine a possible motive for the killings.

• Son Killed Parents, Son, Girlfriend In Mundelein Murder-Suicide: Police

The department has described the incident as isolated and said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Mundelein Police Chief Thomas Poynor told Patch on Thursday the investigation remains ongoing as authorities review a significant amount of evidence, including electronic devices.

"Our investigators are still reviewing a significant amount of evidence, including a number of electronic devices for forensic analysis," Poynor said.

The forensic examinations are being conducted by the Cyber Crimes Division of the Lake County State's Attorney's Office. Once that analysis is complete, Mundelein investigators will review the findings and conduct any necessary follow-up, Poynor said. The police chief said there is no definitive timeline for completing the investigation.

"Additional details will be released, including any motive, when appropriate, at the conclusion of the investigation," Poynor said.

Community Rallies Around Grieving Family

Meanwhile, friends and supporters are hoping to ease some of the financial burden on Maclaine's surviving loved ones as they mourn his loss.

The GoFundMe campaign, organized by Adriano Bruzzone and Anthony Nunnery on behalf of Shelby Schmidt, was launched on Oct. 22.

Organizers said the money will help cover memorial and funeral arrangements, grief counseling, legal and administrative expenses, and essential living costs, including groceries, utilities and household bills.

They noted that state assistance available to crime victims can take months to process, while families often face immediate expenses following a tragedy.

"Any contribution, no matter the size, will help ease the weight on their shoulders during this heartbreaking time," organizers wrote.

Those interested in donating can do so here.