Autopsy scheduled for 81-year-old woman whose decomposing body was found in Vernon Hills home

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in the death of an 81-year-old woman whose decomposing body was found inside a Vernon Hills home Friday and whose 50-year-old son barricaded himself within the home for several hours.

Vernon Hills police said Sunday they are withholding the identity of the woman and the son pending more information from the Lake County Coroner’s office.

Police Deputy Chief Shannon Holubetz said the autopsy will “speak a lot to the cause and manner of death.”

The woman’s body was found in the 500 block of Saddlebrook Lane after police entered the home with SWAT support.

Police began their investigation after a well-being check, but police said responding officers learned information suggesting a death had occurred in the home. After officers entered the home, they discovered the body.

Officers briefly spoke with the son inside before he broke off communication and barricaded himself, police said.

SWAT officers from both the Illinois State Police and the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System were called to contain the situation.

The son, apparently uninjured, was detained by SWAT officers, turned over to Vernon Hills police and taken to an area hospital for a medical evaluation.

No charges have been filed.