Who was sentenced for the Acworth murders?

Matthew Scott Lanz was sentenced for the murders of Justin and Amber Hicks.

What happened to the toddler in the Acworth home?

The couple's 2-year-old son was found upstairs and was unharmed, though in distress.

Was a motive found for the Hicks' murders?

No clear motive was established during the trial, though the defendant mentioned 'demonic lights'.

Home / Crime and Justice / Neighbor Sentenced for Killing Firefighter and Wife

Neighbor Sentenced for Killing Firefighter and Wife

1 Dec, 2025

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Summary

A Georgia man was sentenced for murdering a firefighter and his wife.
The couple's toddler was found unharmed but in distress upstairs.
No motive was established, though the killer cited 'demonic lights'.

Neighbor Sentenced for Killing Firefighter and Wife

Matthew Scott Lanz has received his sentence for the brutal murders of Justin and Amber Hicks, a firefighter and his wife, in their Acworth, Georgia home. The couple was found deceased in November 2021, while their toddler son slept upstairs, tragically unaware of the violence. Lanz was convicted on multiple charges, including murder, following a bench trial. Authorities alleged he entered the couple's residence through a rear door and fatally shot them. The young child was later discovered by responding officers in a disturbing scene, attempting to rouse his parents.

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