Episode 308 - Blood Brothers - The Murder of Justin and Amber Hicks

Episode 308 - Blood Brothers - The Murder of Justin and Amber Hicks

Author: Grip Tape March 9, 2026 Duration: 45:43

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.

How to support:
For extra perks including exclusive content, early release, and ad-free episodes -
Go to - Patreon

How to connect:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

Theme and Closing Track:

Original compositions created for The Minds of Madness

Please check out our sponsors and help support the podcast:
Shopify -
Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/madness
Quince - Upgrade your wardrobe with pieces made to last with Quince. Go to Quince.com/madness for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Marley Spoon
- This new year, fast-track your way to eating well with Marley Spoon. Head to MarleySpoon.com/offer/MADNESS for up to 25 FREE meals!
HERS - Feel like your best self again, Visit forhers.com/MADNESS to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you.
NOCD - If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/MADNESS
Granola -
If meetings are eating up your day, Granola is a no-brainer. You can try it totally free for three months - just head to granola.ai/MADNESS
Nutrafol -
Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners ten dollars off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code MADNESS

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’


Hosted by Grip Tape, The Minds of Madness-True Crime Stories is a documentary series that explores the darker corners of human behavior. This podcast goes beyond the basic facts of a case, aiming to understand the circumstances and psychology that lead to extraordinary crimes. Each episode is a deep, narrative dive into a single story, built from court documents, interviews, and reported accounts. The focus is on the human element-the lives altered, the communities shattered, and the often-complex motivations behind the acts. You’ll find no sensationalism here, only a sober and meticulously researched examination of events that challenge our understanding of society and culture. Listening to this podcast feels like engaging with a thorough, long-form piece of journalism, where the pacing allows for reflection and the details paint a complete, if unsettling, picture. It’s for those who seek more than a headline, offering a respectful yet unflinching look at the realities of true crime. The production emphasizes clarity and depth, making complex legal and emotional trajectories accessible. By focusing on the story from multiple angles, The Minds of Madness provides a compelling and thoughtful audio experience that lingers with you, prompting questions about justice, fate, and the fragile lines we all navigate.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories
Podcast Episodes
Episode 331 - Second Chance Slaughter - The Case of Brandon Howell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:40
In Kansas City, Missouri, five people were murdered in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac during a terrifying afternoon of violence. But the man responsible had a history stretching back nearly two decades, including another mu…
Episode 330 - Greed and Ashes – The Caneiro Family Massacre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:06
Two house fires just 10 miles apart in Colts Neck and Ocean Township, New Jersey, seemed impossible to explain. But as investigators uncovered a web of lies, missing money, and meticulous planning, they realized the trut…
Episode 329 - She Typed, They Died - The Murder of Bruce Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:02
Bruce Miller was murdered inside his junkyard in Mt. Morris, Michigan, leaving detectives chasing the wrong suspect. Then, months later, a shocking discovery in another state turned the entire investigation upside down a…
Episode 328 - A Tap On the Shoulder – The Murder of Dan Markel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:16
A father was murdered just steps from his front door in Tallahassee, Florida. As investigators followed a trail of wiretaps, coded conversations, and a failed escape to a country without extradition, they uncovered a fam…
Episode 327 - Author of Death – The Case of Kouri Richins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:48
On the eve of a multimillion-dollar real estate deal in Midway, Utah, Eric Richins died after sharing a quiet celebration with his wife. What first appeared to be a tragic and unexplained death soon unraveled into a stor…
Episode 326 - Are You Having Fun? – The Murder of Leroy Fowler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:07
On Leroy Fowler's 55th birthday in Salisbury, Massachusetts, a routine 911 call marked the beginning of a baffling investigation. Hidden beneath years of jealousy, secrets, and a complicated love triangle was a truth tha…