ATLANTA, GA – The quiet dreams of a young family were shattered in November 2021 when Justin and Amber Hicks, barely settled into their new home, were found dead in their living room, while their 2-year-old son Jacob was left traumatized and alone for hours before help arrived.
This week, jurors listened as prosecutors detailed the final hours of the Hicks family, focusing on the innocence of the victims and the tragedy that unfolded that night. Justin Hicks, a dedicated firefighter with Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services, and his wife Amber had recently moved into what they hoped would be their forever home in a suburban Atlanta neighborhood.
Authorities say the home, which the couple had owned for just over two months, was invaded late on the night of November 19. Prosecutors described the Hicks relaxing together, unaware that danger was moments away. Around 10 p.m., someone broke into their home through a back window. The prosecution alleges that Matthew Scott Lanz, a neighbor living just behind them, entered with deadly intent.
Investigators claim Amber and Justin were shot and killed in front of their son, Jacob. In the hours following the attack, evidence suggests the toddler, confused and frightened, attempted to seek comfort from his parents, with toys scattered on and around his father’s body indicating his presence and pleas for attention.
By the time police arrived nearly 12 hours later, Jacob Hicks was found alone, covered in blood, and traumatized after spending the night trying to awaken his motionless parents. Paramedics quickly took the boy for medical evaluation, as authorities worked to piece together what had happened in the family’s living room.
Justin Hicks was remembered by colleagues and friends as a hardworking firefighter and dedicated father, while Amber was known for her warm personality and love for her family. Neighbors expressed shock that such violence could strike in their community, especially to a couple who had just begun building their lives in the neighborhood.
The accused, Matthew Lanz, was apprehended the next day after allegedly breaking into another nearby home. An altercation with responding officers reportedly left one officer seriously wounded and Lanz hospitalized with gunshot injuries. Both survived their injuries, and the trial now moves forward, with prosecutors seeking justice for the slain couple and their orphaned son.
Further investigations revealed a history of conflict linked to the home. The previous owner reported ongoing harassment from Lanz and his family. Additionally, Lanz’s older brother, Austin, had previously faced charges for breaking into the same residence and later was involved in a fatal attack on a Pentagon Police officer.
As the court proceedings continue, Jacob Hicks is now in the care of other family members, his young life forever changed by the events that took his parents. The community is watching closely, hopeful that the judicial process will provide answers for those who loved Justin and Amber Hicks and bring closure to a case that has left so many in shock.
The trial is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with prosecutors presenting evidence about the timeline, Lanz’s alleged motive, and the devastating impact the crime has had on a once-happy family.