Local
Five relatives and partner found dead in Mundelein home; investigation continues
Lake County authorities identified five people killed in a shooting at a Mundelein home over the weekend. Police say the deaths appear to be a murder-suicide, but have not disclosed a suspected motive.
Five people found shot to death inside a Mundelein home over the weekend have been identified by the Lake County Coroner’s Office, as police continue investigating what they describe as an apparent murder-suicide.
Officers went to a house in the 200 block of Wellington Avenue around 11:45 p.m. Sunday for a welfare check after a family member said they could not reach relatives. They found three men and two women dead. A preliminary investigation indicated the victims had been shot at close range with a handgun, police said. Two handguns were recovered at the scene.
The victims were James Schmidt, 80, and Rebecca Schmidt, 77, who lived at the home; their grandson, Maclaine Schmidt, 22, of Lake Bluff; and their son, Bryan Schmidt, 51, of Antioch. Nicole Heiser, 37, Bryan Schmidt’s long-term partner, also lived in Antioch and was among those killed.
The coroner’s office said James and Rebecca Schmidt died from multiple gunshot wounds. Maclaine Schmidt and Heiser died from gunshot wounds to the head. Bryan Schmidt died from an intraoral gunshot wound to the head; the coroner’s office said his death appeared to be a suicide.
Mundelein police and the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force are investigating. Police have not announced a suspected motive and said they had received no calls for service at the home before Sunday night.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Mundelein police at 847-968-4600.