Discovery of the Crime

In the fall of 2021, a young couple in Cobb County, Georgia thought they’d found their dream home. An upscale subdivision. A quiet street. A perfect place to raise their two year old son.

What they could not have known was that the house came with an unspoken history. A neighbor who had already crossed the line. A fear that had driven the previous owners to leave. And a threat that did not disappear when the “For Sale” sign went up.

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Research & Writing:
Ryan Deininger

Sources:
Life without parole handed down to man convicted of murder of Acworth couple
The Terror of the Lanz Brothers
Lanz brothers had history of crime at Acworth home before couple's murder, records show
Man charged in murders after arrested for stabbing officer
Before Austin Lanz killed a Pentagon police officer, he was investigated for menacing neighbors
Behavioral Threat Assessment of Austin William Lanz
Competency hearing held for man accused of killing firefighter and wife
Shooter sentenced for killing metro Atlanta firefighter, his wife
Warrant
11/19/2025 Transcript
Before Austin Lanz killed a Pentagon officer, he was accused of targeting the couple next door
Couple killed in Acworth home loved each other for most of their lives
Community to support Acworth toddler after parents are killed
Fundraiser launched for son of Acworth couple killed in their home
Department honors Cherokee County firefighter and his wife who were murdered
Justin and Amber Hicks lived a life full of love, generosity, and kindness…
Man killed couple, left toddler in home who 'tried to cuddle" and 'play' with parents: DA
Defendant Interrogation
Defendant Interrogation Part 2
Scott & Theresa Interrogation
Court TV Trial Recap
Man sentenced to life in slayings of Cherokee firefighter, wife
University of Georgia student found guilty of murdering couple inside their home
Trial of man accused of killing his neighbors in Cobb County wraps first day
Accused killer’s parents tell police their son was seeing a psychiatrist, had ‘demonic side’