Police: Son won’t face charges after mother found dead in Vernon Hills home

An 81-year-old woman found dead in her Vernon Hills home by police conducting a well-being check Friday morning died of natural causes, an autopsy revealed Monday.

As a result, the woman’s adult son — who barricaded himself inside the home for several hours when police arrived — will not face criminal charges, authorities said.

The woman, identified by police Monday as Mary Barry, had not been heard from for several weeks prior to Friday’s discovery, authorities said. She lived at the home in the 500 block of Saddlebrook Lane with her 50-year-old disabled son, police said.

When officers arrived about 10:15 a.m. Friday, they were able to speak only momentarily with Barry’s son before he closed the door and barricaded himself in the home, police said.

When police entered the home later Friday, officers discovered Barry’s decomposing body on the floor of her bedroom. Her son was located several hours later by police using a drone, officials said. He was detained by officers before being transported to a hospital for evaluation, police said.

An investigation determined the last known contact with Mary Barry occurred over a month ago. It is believed her son failed to perceive her death due to a medical condition, according to police. He continues to receive hospital treatment, police said.