A two-year-old boy endured 12 hours of unimaginable trauma, wandering alone in a house with his murdered parents, after a brutal home invasion shattered his family's new life in their dream home.
A Night of Horror in the Dream Home
Justin and Amber Hicks had been living in their new Georgia home for just two months when their lives were tragically cut short. On a Friday night in 2021, the couple was cuddled up on the sofa watching television in their Cherokee County residence, completely unaware of the danger lurking outside.
According to prosecutors, their peaceful evening turned into a nightmare when an intruder, identified as their neighbour Matthew Scott Lanz, broke in through a back window around 10 p.m. The couple, described as defenceless, were then shot and killed in what officials have called an execution.
A Child's Unthinkable Ordeal
The couple's beloved toddler, Jacob, was present during the horrific event and was spared by the killer. For the next 12 hours, the little boy roamed the house alone, unable to comprehend the tragedy that had unfolded.
Jurors heard the heart-wrenching details that the child, with a soiled nappy and unable to feed himself, tried to interact with his lifeless parents. The prosecution stated that Jacob attempted to 'cuddle' his parents and even placed several of his toys on and around his father's body, seemingly trying to play.
The family dog was also in the home during the entire ordeal. Thankfully, when police eventually discovered the scene, the child was found to be physically unharmed.
The Legal Proceedings and the Accused
Matthew Scott Lanz now faces murder charges for the deaths of Justin and Amber Hicks. He is also charged with one count of cruelty to children in the second degree, as the act of leaving the two-year-old alone for half a day caused the boy significant physical and mental pain.
The case has faced multiple delays due to questions about Lanz's mental competency. In October, a judge ruled him fit to stand trial, acknowledging that Lanz suffers from schizophrenia but stating that he appeared capable of making rational decisions. Lanz's defence team claims their client believes he was 'set up by either the FBI, CIA, or some government agency.'
In a disturbing twist, it was revealed that Lanz had been arrested in April 2021 in connection with a break-in at the very same home the Hicks family later purchased. Justin Hicks was a beloved firefighter in the local Cherokee County community, making the senseless loss even more profound for friends and colleagues.
The trial for this devastating case is currently ongoing.
