Bin Laden's Brother Owned Home In Central Fla.

WINTER GARDEN, Fla.,None — The death of Osama bin Laden has captured the world's attention, but what most may not know is that the bin Laden family is connected to Central Florida.

Osama bin Laden's brother owned a home for more than 20 years in Winter Garden. It's had a few owners since the Sept. 11 attacks, but hasn't really been lived in much.

The majestic 1920's mansion on a Johns Lake 17-acre lot was once home to Khalil bin Laden.

Khalil was airlifted from the property to Orlando International Airport in the week following Sept. 11. He got on a chartered flight and never returned.

County records show Khalil's company bought the place in 1980.

"They were nice, a really nice family, they were normal," said neighbor Aaron Marty, who said he remembers when the family moved out shortly after the 9/11 attacks. "Pretty much since then, there's been squatters, so they got cops going in and out."

Vandals hit the place hard. The house shows bullet holes, broken windows, and cracked tiles. There's even a gaping hole in a wall where a safe was dragged down the stairs.

In recent years, new owners started making repairs, but the home is now back on the market for just under $2 million.

The real estate agent listing the home said Khalil bin Laden bought the home as a gift for his wife, and there are rumors Osama bin Laden once visited. But neighbors doubt that's true.

Still, with books and movies mentioning this Central Florida connection to the al-Qaida leader, interest has been high from people driving by or boating.

"There are always boaters driving past showing whoever family or whatever and telling the story," said Marty.

The home has been on the market for more than a year, but the real estate agent told WFTV they've had a lot of interest recently, including from someone with an interest in turning it into a bed and breakfast.

WFTV