Decomposing Body Found In Vernon Hills Home; Son Detained After Standoff: Police

VERNON HILLS, IL -- Police are investigating a death after officers discovered the body of an 81-year-old woman inside a Vernon Hills home during a well-being check Friday morning.

The investigation began in the 500 block of Saddlebrook Lane at about 10:15 a.m. when officers responded to check on the welfare of a resident, according to the Vernon Hills Police Department.

While at the home, officers developed information suggesting that a death had occurred inside the residence. Police initially made contact with an adult male inside the house, but he stopped communicating with officers and barricaded himself inside, police said.

SWAT teams from the Illinois State Police and the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System were called to the scene to help contain the situation, according to the news release.

After entering the residence, officers discovered the decomposing body of an 81-year-old woman, police said.

Police said the woman’s 50-year-old son remained barricaded inside the home for several hours before he was eventually detained by SWAT officers and turned over to Vernon Hills police. The man appeared uninjured but was taken to an area hospital for medical evaluation, according to the news release.

Authorities said the cause and manner of the woman’s death remain under investigation. No charges have been filed at this time, police said.

The woman’s identity has not yet been released pending formal identification by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.

Officers from the Mundelein Police Department also assisted during the incident. Several nearby roads were closed while police responded, but all have since reopened.

Police said there is no known threat to the community.