Body Of Former 'Home Alone' House Owner Found In Nature Preserve: Lake County Coroner

LAKE FOREST, IL — The body of John Abendshein, the original owner of the famed mansion featured in "Home Alone," was found at a Lake Forest nature preserve on Wednesday, according to the Lake County Coroner's Office.

Abendshein, 79, of Lake Forest, was arrested last week and faced felony charges after police discovered a Google Drive account that contained explicit images of children. According to Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Colleen McConnel, the photos depicted children between the ages of 4 and 15 in various stages of undress.

RELATED: Former Owner Of 'Home Alone' House Charged With Possession Of Child Sexual Abuse Material: Police

Authorities notified the Coroner's Office about the body at Lake Forest Open Lands: Derwen Mawr Nature Preserve at approximately 5:47 p.m. on Wednesday.

The coroner identified the body as Abendshein. His cause of death has not been released, but an autopsy is scheduled to take place on Thursday, the coroner said.

Abendshein was arrested on April 17 after Lake Forest police carried out a search warrant at his home following multiple cyber tips about the Google Drive account. He confirmed to police that the Google Drive account was his and that no one else had access to it.

Abendshein was taken into custody and charged with 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 attended a detention hearing on Friday afternoon, and his petition to detain was denied. He was released with conditions.