Crime & Safety
Elderly Couple, Son, Grandson Among 5 Killed In Apparent Murder-Suicide: Authorities
The five victims were found shot to death inside a Mundelein home Sunday night, police said.
MUNDELEIN, IL — Authorities have identified five people found shot to death inside a Mundelein home Sunday night in what police are investigating as an apparent murder-suicide.
The victims include an elderly couple, their son, grandson and a woman who was in a long-term relationship with the son, according to information released Tuesday by the Lake County Coroner's Office. Mundelein police responded to the 200 block of Wellington Avenue at approximately 11:45 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, for a well-being check.
Officers entered the home and found five adults dead inside, authorities said.
Find out what's happening in Libertyvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The victims have been identified as:
- James Schmidt, 80, of Mundelein: He lived at the Wellington Avenue home and died from multiple gunshot wounds.
- Rebecca Schmidt, 77, of Mundelein: She also lived at the home and died from multiple gunshot wounds.
- Maclaine Schmidt, 22, of Lake Bluff: The grandson of James and Rebecca Schmidt and son of Bryan Schmidt died from a gunshot wound to the head.
- Nicole Heiser, 37, recently of Antioch and formerly of Lake Bluff: Heiser, who was in a long-term relationship with Bryan Schmidt, died from a gunshot wound to the head.
- Bryan Schmidt, 51, recently of Antioch and formerly of Lake Bluff: The son of James and Rebecca Schmidt died from an intraoral gunshot wound, which means a gunshot wound that entered through the mouth.
All five victims were transported to the Lake County Coroner's Office, where autopsies were conducted Monday, Oct. 19.
Find out what's happening in Libertyvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Mundelein police previously said preliminary findings indicated the deaths were the result of an apparent murder-suicide. Investigators said a concerned family member requested the well-being check after being unable to contact one of the victims.
Authorities have described the incident as isolated and said there is no ongoing threat to the public. The Lake County Major Crime Task Force was called to assist with evidence collection at the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing by Mundelein police detectives, the Lake County Major Crime Task Force and the Lake County Coroner's Office.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.