MUNDELEIN, IL. (THECOUNT) — Bryan Schmidt, 51, has been identified as the suspected shooter in an apparent murder-suicide that left five people dead Sunday night inside a home in Mundelein, a Chicago suburb in Lake County, Illinois. The victims included Schmidt’s parents, James Schmidt, 80, and Rebecca Schmidt, 77; his 22-year-old son, Maclaine Schmidt; and his longtime partner, Nicole Heiser, 37.
Authorities identified the five people Tuesday after officers discovered their bodies during a well-being check at a home located at 226 Wellington Avenue. Police responded around 11:45 p.m. Sunday, October 18, after a concerned relative was unable to reach one of the people inside.
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According to reporting on the investigation, Bryan Schmidt is believed to have shot and killed the other four victims before dying by suicide. The Lake County Coroner’s Office reported that Bryan died from an intraoral gunshot wound to the head, meaning the gunshot entered through his mouth. That finding is consistent with the apparent suicide, while authorities’ investigation supports the suspected-shooter identification.
James and Rebecca Schmidt, who lived at the home, each died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to autopsy findings released by Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek. Maclaine Schmidt, who lived in Lake Bluff, and Heiser, who had recently lived in Antioch and formerly lived in Lake Bluff, each died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Bryan Schmidt had recently lived in Antioch and formerly lived in Lake Bluff. Maclaine was his son, and Heiser was his longtime partner. The five victims were all adults.
Responding officers entered the Wellington Avenue residence and found three men and two women dead. Authorities said the victims appeared to have been shot at close range with a handgun. Two handguns were recovered at the scene.
The Lake County Major Crime Task Force assisted with evidence collection. The investigation involves Mundelein police, the task force and the Lake County Coroner’s Office. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the killings.
Police have said the incident appears to be isolated and that there is no continuing threat to the public. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Mundelein Police Department at 847-968-4600.
Mundelein is located in Lake County in the Chicago metropolitan area, northwest of Chicago. The home where the five people were found is in the 200 block of Wellington Avenue, near the intersection of Wellington and Prairie avenues.
Google Maps: 200 block of Wellington Avenue, Mundelein, Illinois (approximate scene location)
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 to speak with a trained counselor, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In an immediate emergency, call 911.
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