Justin Hicks and Amber Hicks moved into their new home on Verbena Drive in Acworth, Georgia, in the fall of 2021. They couldn’t wait to build a life with their 2-year-old son, Jacob. Tragically, that dream lasted only two months. Matthew Scott Lanz broke into the family’s home on November 19, 2021, and mercilessly executed the couple. A court recently sentenced 26-year-old Lanz to life in prison without parole, but not before the prosecution shared gruesome details of his crimes.
Lanz broke into the family’s home around 10 p.m., Law & Crime reported. He shot Amber Hicks and Justin Hicks but did not harm their young son. The prosecution claimed the child attempted to cuddle with and play with his parents’ bodies after their deaths. Police found the family the following morning.
Lanz reportedly left the home and tried to burglarize another home nearby on Cameron Glen Drive, Fox 5 reported. When police arrived, Lanz attacked an officer with a knife. Police fired at Lanz and hit him twice. Emergency crews rushed the officer and suspect to the hospital, where they both received treatment and staff discharged them.
“We are extremely grateful our police officers were at the right place at the right time to confront this extremely dangerous and armed individual,” Sandy Springs Police Chief Ken DeSimone said following the attack. “The quick response by our officers potentially saved the lives of the homeowners, as we now know this suspect had murdered two homeowners previously in a similar burglary in Cobb County. This incident is a testament of the dangers our officers face every day and their commitment to keeping our community safe.”
Per Fox 5, Matthew Lanz and his brother, Austin Lanz, had a history of trouble with the home even before the Hicks family moved in. It appears the brothers had a penchant for crime. Austin Lanz reportedly ambushed Pentagon Police Officer George Gonzales on August 3, 2021. He died after using the officer’s gun to shoot himself.
Ahead of sentencing, Amber Hicks’ sister, Kirstyn Bauer, shared her thoughts on the horrific crimes on Facebook.
“We are praying for the maximum sentence. This week has been extremely challenging for our family, as we have had to relive every detail. Witnessing the heinous acts committed against my family has been devastating,” she wrote in her post. “Furthermore, observing the perpetrator show no remorse while maintaining a ‘not guilty’ plea is appalling. I would like to express my gratitude to the district attorney’s office and all the witnesses who have contributed to gathering crucial evidence, ultimately aiding in securing a life sentence for the perpetrator. Thank you to everyone for their continued love and prayers.”
Court TV reported that a court convicted Lanz on multiple charges, including two counts of murder and one count of child cruelty. He waived his ability to appear in court for sentencing. A judge sentenced him to two consecutive life sentences without possibility of parole.
Jacob will never get his parents back, but knowing their killer will never again be back on the street must bring the family some solace.
