Funeral Set For Cherokee Firefighter, Wife Tuesday In Woodstock

WOODSTOCK, GA — A funeral has been planned for Tuesday in Woodstock for the Cherokee County firefighter and his wife who were found shot dead in their Acworth home Thursday.

According to a GoFundMe established by the family, funeral services for Amber Hicks and Justin Hicks will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23, at His Hands Church, 550 Molly Lane in Woodstock, with the Rev. Justin McTeer and the Rev. Dana McPherson officiating.

Interment will follow at Rolling Hills Memory Gardens, 4355 Hwy. 92, in Acworth. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at His Hands Church.

Matthew Lanz, 22, was arrested Friday and charged in connection with a string of Sandy Springs burglaries and stabbing, including 10 counts of attempted murder on a police officer, during which he reportedly stabbed an officer before being shot by police.

Cobb County police also connected him to the killings of the Hickses. According to warrants obtained by WSB-TV, Lanz — who lived next door and shared a backyard fence with the couple — broke into a rear window of the house before shooting them multiple times.

Their 2-year-old son, who was also in the home, was unharmed and is with family members.

Police say Lanz's motive is unclear.

Related:

• Suspect Broke In Before Killing Cherokee Firefighter, Wife: Cops
• 1 Arrested After Cherokee Firefighter, Wife Found Dead In Home
• Stabbed Officer, Shot Burglary Suspect Taken To Hospital: Police

His older brother, Austin Lanz, was previously arrested for breaking into the same home occupied by the Hickses in April, when the home was under different ownership, WSB-TV reported. Austin Lanz stabbed a Pentagon police officer to death in August and was shot and killed as a result, Patch previously reported.

In addition to Lanz's charges related to the Sandy Springs crimes, he also faces two counts of felony murder; two counts of felony aggravated assault with a weapon; first degree burglary home invasion; and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in connection with the Hicks family killings.

He is currently being held in the Fulton County jail. It's not clear when he will be transferred to the Cobb County Adult Detention Center.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the Hicks' memorial expenses and to help with the costs of raising their son. To donate, visit this link.

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