COBB COUNTY, Ga. (Court TV) — A Georgia man was sentenced to life behind bars without the possibility of parole after he was convicted of murdering a firefighter and his wife in their new home.
Matthew Lanz reacts to the judge’s verdict in his double murder trial on Nov. 20, 2025. (Court TV)
Matthew Lanz was convicted of multiple charges, including two counts of malice murder in the deaths of Justin Hicks and Amber Hicks, both 31. Prosecutors argued Lanz broke into the home on Nov. 17, 2021, and shot the couple. Their bodies were found the next day. Lanz was also convicted of cruelty to children for leaving the couple’s 2-year-old son in the home alone for hours after the murders. Authorities said the child was unharmed in the incident.
Lanz waived his right to appear at sentencing and was not in court when Judge Sonja Brown sentenced him to two life sentences, to be served consecutively.
Lanz was arrested on Nov. 19 after he allegedly broke into a home in nearby Fulton County and stabbed a police officer who responded to the call. Lanz was shot by other responding officers during the incident, for which he will be tried separately.
Lanz’s case was delayed multiple times after he was ruled incompetent to stand trial. Following a hearing in October where a forensic psychologist testified that he suffered from schizophrenia, a judge ruled him competent, reported WSB-TV.
Lanz’s case has also garnered national attention due to his brother’s criminal history. Austin Lanz was identified as the man who fatally stabbed a Pentagon police officer and shot himself with the officer’s gun in August 2021, according to the Associated Press. Months before, Austin was arrested for breaking into the home that shared a fence with his – the same house that was sold to the Hicks family before their murders.
In their opening statement, Matthew’s defense said he believes he has been “set up” by a government agency.
Matthew opted for a bench trial, meaning a judge decided his fate rather than a jury.
TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 5 – 11/21/25
- LIVESTREAM: GA v. Matthew Lanz – Sentencing | Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial
- Matthew Lanz declined to appear for his sentencing hearing.
- Family and friends delivered powerful and emotional victim impact statements.
DAY 4 – 11/20/25
- LIVESTREAM: GA v. Matthew Lanz – Day 4 | Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial
- WATCH: Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial: Key Moments From Day 4
- The judge found Matthew Lanz guilty of all charges. Lanz faces life in prison at his sentencing scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21.
- Matthew Lanz declined to testify in his own defense, telling the judge “no comment” repeatedly during a colloquy.
- Jimmy Berry delivered closing arguments for the defense.
- The defense emphasized that Matthew did not return home, prompting concern and a safety check from his parents and a sibling.
- Justin’s father, Timothy Hicks, discovered a broken window and police confirmed the break by using a baton to gain entry.
- It’s argued that Matthew’s ability to enter the house through the window was physically challenging without injury.
- Shell casings found did not connect Matthew to the crime scene; only DNA from a child was identified on them.
- The defense challenged the evidence for Count 13, stating that shell casings remain unfound.
- Important details include a discovered magazine clip in Matthew’s father’s sports jacket, not associated with previously unaccounted shells.
- Detective Smith could not definitively match the vehicle’s headlight signature to Matthew’s Lexus, raising doubt about vehicle identification.
- The timeline notes that a floodlight was activated at crucial times, but does not confirm how long it remained on before the incident.
- It’s highlighted that if a break-in occurred, the assailant would have had an unfeasible amount of time to execute the crime and escape.
- The defense asked the Court to carefully review all evidence to ensure a just verdict, emphasizing the importance of truth.
- Stephany Green delivered the closing arguments for the prosecution.
- Justin, Amber and their son, Jacob, were living in what they believed to be their dream home.
- The events unfolded on Nov. 17-18, 2021, marking the commencement of the trial four years later.
- The last known footage of the family together was captured at 7:09 pm on Nov. 17, 2021.
- The killer was en route to the victims’ home during a phone call with his father, indicating his planned approach.
- Video evidence showed the defendant’s vehicle arriving at the victims’ neighborhood around 9:20 pm.
- The defendant was seen walking around the victims’ home before returning to his own residence.
- The murders occurred between 9:55 pm and 10:10 pm, while Amber and Justin were watching TV in their locked home.
- Jacob was left alone in his crib during the tragic event.
- The defendant left the scene around 10:11 pm, putting his phone in airplane mode shortly after committing the murders.
- The emergency call was made by Ashley Hicks at 9:34 am on Nov. 18, reporting the homicides.
- Police found Justin and Amber dead shortly after arriving on the scene on Nov. 18.
- The defendant’s parents suspected his involvement and confronted him before any official details were revealed.
- Theresa Lanz went to her son’s residence and discovered the murder weapon along with magazines nearby.
- The defendant returned on Nov. 19 and abandoned his car in Sandy Springs.
- The prosecution says Matthew Lanz committed malice murder and felony murder due to home invasion, highlighting the premeditated nature of the crime.
- WATCH: Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial: Closing Arguments
DAY 3 – 11/19/25
- LIVESTREAM: GA v. Matthew Lanz – Day 3 | Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial
- WATCH: Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial: Key Moments From Day 3
- State Rests: After a series of Sandy Springs and Cobb County investigators, including the lead detective Zachary Stannard who walked jurors through Lanz’s police interviews, digital evidence and the forensic timeline, the State formally rested its case.
- Lead Detective Zachary Stannard, Cobb County Police
- Detective Stannard walked the jury through the initial crime-scene assessment, timeline reconstruction, and investigative trail that led police to identify Lanz as a suspect in the murders of Justin and Amber Hicks.
- Stannard said the scene did not resemble a burglary. A rear window was broken, but valuables were untouched. Amber and Justin were found shot multiple times, and only three SIG 9mm casings were recovered.
- Amber’s last phone activity was at 9:59 p.m. Floodlights activated at 9:55 and 10:10 p.m. Justin’s device data showed morning movement likely caused by their toddler.
- Sandy Springs police notified investigators that Matthew Lanz lived behind the Hicks home and had been arrested that day for stabbing an officer. His Lexus had already been seized.
- Evidence from Lanz’s vehicle and apartment included a scratched flashlight, a ZEV OZ 9mm pistol box, SIG ammunition, magazines, tactical clothing, and a jacket in the washing machine. His DNA was found on the gun handle.
- Lanz’s phone was placed in airplane mode at 10:16 p.m., aligning with the estimated time of the murders and the drive to Athens. His Google history included searches on ballistics, ZEV pistols, and gunshot effects.
- In interviews, Lanz denied involvement, claimed he saw a flickering light inside the Hicks home, and said he slept in his car before driving back to Athens. He did not confess.
- Stannard said Lanz matched the timeline, lived directly behind the victims, left the neighborhood at the key moment, had matching ammunition, and possessed a gun linked to him.
- WATCH: Lead Detective Breaks Down Evidence Tying Lanz to Hicks Murders
- Det. Charles Needham, Sandy Springs Police Dept.
- Dispatched to Cameron Glenn Drive at 8:50 am for a burglary in progress call.
- Arrived at 9:10 am when the shots fired call came in.
- Matthew Lanz had a grazing wound to his neck and one other gunshot injury; he was transported to the hospital ebfore he was brought to the police station for an interview.
- Lanz was a UGA student studying cognitive science; he lived in Athens for school and also at his parents’ house in Acworth, Ga.
- Lanz said his mother came to Athens to tell him two people were murdered in the house behind theirs.
- Lanz said he came home the night before, smoked a cigarette and saw light in the neighbors’ bathroom.
- The car ran out of gas on I-285, and he walked through the neighborhood near the highway.
- Entered a house where the woman asked who he was. He said, “It’s me, Matthew.” The woman called the police, and Lanz went upstairs to “check something out.”
- When police arrived, Lanz stabbed an officer with a knife he carried on his hip. Lanz expressed remorse, saying, “I dont think what I did was worth it.”
- Discussed his Christian faith and belief in God’s forgiveness.
- Owns a Glock pistol with hollow point ammunition, which he had in Athens, but his parents took it from him and brought it back to their Acworth, Georgia, home.
- In a second hour of the interview, Lanz discussed not knowing about the incident at the neighbor’s house and expressed distress after learning a toddler was in the house during the murders.
- Referenced his brother being “harassed through the neighbor’s window” at some point before his death.
- The interview ended when Lanz said he didn’t want to talk anymore with Sandy Springs Police detectives.
- WATCH: Defendant’s Police Interview After Murders: ‘I Feel (God) Will Forgive Me’
- Det. Peter Dwyer, Sandy Springs Police Dept.
- Located defendant’s vehicle on I-285; it was about two miles from the home invasion location and appeared abandoned.
- Video showed Lanz’s transport to the Fulton County jail.
- In the vehicle, Lanz asked if the female victim was pregnant and expressed feeling terrible about the “baby in that woman’s body.”
- Det. Levan Mason, Cobb County Police Dept.
- Technology analyst who performed cell phone extractions for Justin and Amber Hicks’ cell phones.
- Sgt. Jason Harder, Tech Analyst, Cobb County Police Dept.
- Sgt. Harder testified that he was asked to perform a forensic extraction of Matthew Lanz’s iPhone.
- He used GreyKey and Cellebrite to successfully extract the device’s full file system.
- He did not personally collect the phone but completed the extraction at investigators’ request.
DAY 2 – 11/18/25
- LIVESTREAM: GA v. Matthew Lanz – Day 2 | Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial
- WATCH: Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial: Key Moments from Day 2
- Sgt. Stephen Sinatra:
- Assisted with collecting three 9mm shell casings
- Identified and packaged shell casings then sent to ATF
- Det. Ronson Smith, Technology Expert:
- Retrieved and analyzed surveillance video from multiple locations
- Created shortened clips for relevant timeframes
- Presented maps of crime-scene locations
- Confirmed both families (Lanz & Hicks) lived on Verbena Road
- Reviewed multiple surveillance videos showing vehicles and activity on Verbena
- Noted sequence of lights activating around the Hicks home (backyard light, Nest infrared camera, porch lights)
- Identified a shadowy figure moving around the property
- Surveillance captured a person walking on Verbena, reversing direction, and continuing north
- Observed no additional light triggers after the figure left
- Additional lighting events occurred at the Hicks home later that evening
- Surveillance from Delphenium Road showed Lanz’s vehicle
- Delivery driver recorded arriving at the Hicks home and leaving a package and determined delivery driver was at the home slightly before key lighting events
- Estimated murders occurred between approximately 9:55 and 10:10
- Saw Lanz’s vehicle earlier in the evening and again as it left the neighborhood
- Stated it was possible for Lanz to travel between locations within the given times
- On cross-examination, admitted he didn’t know who interviewed the delivery driver and confirmed the person on video could be identified by clothing or features
- WATCH: Video Shows Movement on Victims’ Property, Matthew Lanz’s Car ID’d
- Sgt. Ben Jackson, Cobb County Police Department
- Interviewed Theresa and Scott Lanz (Matthew’s parents) on Nov. 19, 2021.
- Parents were informed that Matthew was found and stabbed a police officer.
- Matthew was shot by police after stabbing the officer and was taken into custody.
- Parents revealed that Matthew had been seeing a psychiatrist for bipolar/schizophrenic issues.
- Matthew purchased a gun in Oct. 2021, which his parents confiscated and locked in a safe.
- Parents went to check on Matthew on Nov. 18 (the day the bodies were found), because he wasn’t answering calls.
- Found Matthew sleeping at 2 pm with a gun next to his bed.
- Matthew claimed he needed the gun for protection, saying “they were out to get him” and making paranoid statements about devil worshippers and demonic lights.
- Matthew referenced his dead brother, Austin, and claimed neighbors were “messing with” him.
- WATCH: Defendant Matthew Lanz’s Dad: ‘If the Bullet Matches, He’s Done It’
- Todd Bille, ATF DNA analyst
- Analyzed shell casings, cartridges and DNA samples.
- Found a mixture of DNA from two individuals on the cartridge casings.
- Justin Hicks’ DNA was found on shell casings, Matthew Lanz’s DNA was found on pistol grip swabs.
- Did not receive Amber’s DNA for comparison testing.
- Vanna Kelley, Firearm & Toolmark Examiner, ATF
- Explained how firearm examiners compare cartridge cases, firing pin impressions, and toolmark patterns to determine if evidence comes from a specific gun.
- Received three 9mm cartridge casings and a ZEV OZ-9 9mm pistol for analysis.
- Concluded that all three 9mm casings were fired from the same gun — and specifically, from the ZEV OZ-9 pistol submitted in this case.
- Sgt. Jeffrey Inman, Sandy Springs Police Dept.
- Inman testified that he was one of the first supervisors on scene, responding to two burglary-in-progress calls on Cameron Glenn Drive around 9 a.m., and began securing the main floor while Sgt. Rolff spoke with someone at the bottom of the stairs.
- He testified that a man dressed in camouflage, gloves, a fishing hat, and a face covering came down the stairs, and that body camera screenshots accurately showed the defendant descending the stairs and later being arrested.
- Inman testified that he heard a commotion, saw the individual raise a hand as if to strike a Sandy Springs Police Officer and then saw another officer shoot the suspect in the neck. He said the suspect continued resisting as officers tried to handcuff him and that he helped treat both the officer and the defendant.
- He testified that the defendant wore several layers of clothing and gloves and that he did not see the defendant’s face until the face covering was removed.
- On cross, he testified that he did not take a formal statement from the defendant at the crime scene, nor did he know how the defendant arrived at the residence and reiterated he was not tasked with interviewing him.
- Testified that the defendant yelled slurs at officers, including the “N-word” and “pussies.”
DAY 1 – 11/17/25
- WATCH: Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial: Key Moments from Day 1
- State’s opening statement delivered by Jared Horowitz:
- Justin and Amber Hicks purchased their dream home on Sept. 5, 2021, just days after their son’s second birthday
- 73 days later, the couple was murdered in their home
- Surveillance video shows Lanz arrive at his parents’ home, which shares a property line with the Hicks’ home, on Nov. 17 at 7:09 pm
- Lanz is seen walking around the Hicks property multiple times between 9:31-9:55 pm
- Lanz is seen leaving the scene at 10:10pm
- The couple’s 2-year-old son was found the next morning, covered in blood, wet, with a dirty diaper, trying to cuddle with his deceased parents on the couch
- Lanz’s cell phone was in airplane mode from 10:16 pm to 12:43 am
- The next day, Lanz’s mother found him sleeping at 2 pm with a firearm; his father took the gun
- Ballistics matched 9mm casings found at the scene to Lanz’s ZEV OZ-9mm pistol
- November 19, 2021 – Lanz was involved in a burglary in Sandy Springs, where he stabbed a police officer and was shot twice
- The defense asked the judge to deliver a fair judgment, citing the state has the burden of proving the case beyond all reasonable doubt
- Said Matthew believes he has been “set up” by a government agency.
- WATCH: Stranger Home Invasion Murder Trial: Opening Statements
- Timothy Hicks, father of victim Justin Hicks:
- Amber’s workplace called Timothy when she didn’t show up for work. Justin, a Cherokee County firefighter, was off work the day of the murders.
- Timothy and his wife drove to the house and found a broken back window, immediately knew the couple wasn’t okay and had his daughter call 911
- An officer brought the 2-year-old child out of the home, describing him as unresponsive, “like a sack of potatoes,” he was wearing blood-soaked pajamas and clutching Justin’s glasses
- WATCH: Victim’s Father Testifies, Court Hears 911 Call in Matthew Lanz’s Trial
- Ofc. Matthew Brown – Responding officer:
- Responded to welfare check/missing person call at Verbena Drive at 9:43 am
- Found family members at the home who directed him to check the perimeter
- Observed broken glass from sunroom at back door
- Heard dog barking loudly and small child’s voice when moving blinds
- Saw small child, identified as Jacob, peering around corner, Amber sitting on couch, and Justin on floor with toy on his leg
- Found Jacob covered in blood with heavily soiled diaper
- Picked up Jacob and gave him to relative
- All doors (front and two back doors) were locked; entry made through broken window
- WATCH: Bodycam of Officer Who Responded to Stranger Home Invasion Murder
- Sgt. Mark Gasque – Crime Scene Supervisor:
- Crime Scene Supervisor for homicide unit in November 2021
- Documented extensive crime scene with photos
- Discovered Justin and Amber Hicks deceased – Amber on couch, Justin on floor
- Located projectiles near Amber’s hip and in living room floor
- Found shell casings under trampoline and behind dog bed
- Observed fresh damage to baseboard and friction marks on floor
- Found Justin’s cell phone on top of baby gate in playroom
- Crime scene processing continued until after midnight the following day
- Home appeared orderly with toys moved into room where victims were found
- Playroom had Christmas tree with lights on and broken window with glass shards
- Cobb County Police Detective
- Executed search warrant at Lanz residence after the defendant was in custody.
- Scott and Theresa Lanz (the defendant’s parents) were cooperative during the search.
- Scott Lanz told police he took a gun from his son and put it in a sports jacket in the upstairs closet. Scott said he went to Athens to ask his son if he was involved, and he denied involvement.
- Defendant was supposed to come home Tuesday night but never showed up.
- Found ZEV OZ 9mm pistol in sports jacket pocket in upstairs closet. Found gun safe in master bedroom with three handguns, knives and a suppressor.
- No Sig Sauer 9mm ammunition was found in the home.
- Lanz’s parents were forthcoming about gun locations.
- Dr. Zuhha Ashraf, Medical Examiner
- Performed an independent medical review of autopsies for Timothy and Amber Hicks.
- Timothy Hicks had three gunshot wounds.
- Gunshot wound 1: Right temporal scalp (head), immediately lethal, bullet traversed right to left and downward.
- Gunshot wound 2: Right upper arm, potentially lethal, could cause blood loss.
- Gonshot wound 3: Right abdomen near ribs, less potentially lethal.
- Identified a linear abrasion that could have been caused by a shard of glass.
- Amber Hicks had three gunshot wounds.
- Gunshot wound 1: Left lower cheek, lethal: hit the carotid artery and the spinal cord.
- Gunshot wound 2: Right forearm, less likely lethal, entry and exit wounds.
- Gunshot wound 3: Right thigh, less likely to be lethal.
- Noted a large abrasion on the abdomen.
- Combined total of at least 5, possibly six gunshot wounds between both victims.
- The shooter was likely positioned on the right side of the victims.
- Forearm wound likely occurred first for Amber; the head shots were final and incapacitating wounds.
- Cause of death: gunshot wounds, manner of death: homicide.
Portions of this story were reported by a journalist and converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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