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: 100

The Minds of Madness - True Crime Stories
Podcast Episodes
Episode 256 - The Serpent Keeper - The Death of Ryelee Manente-Powell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:02
Join us, as we examine the death of Ryelee Manente-Powell. You’ll hear how an 18-year-old father was shot dead minutes after Angela’s discovery and how one split-second decision left a teenager dead, his mother imprisone…
Episode 255 - An Egregious Act - The Murder of Davis McClendon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:02
Greenwood, South Carolina is a town where folks leave their doors unlocked, and everyone knows each other's business. But on May 7th, 2023, that small-town sense of security was shattered. A father of three, hiding out a…
Introducing: CRIME HOUSE TRUE CRIME STORIES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:56
Crime House True Crime Stories is the ultimate destination for true crime fans. Every episode features two notorious cases from that week in crime history, tied by a common theme like infamous serial killers, mysterious…
Episode 254 - Heart Rate Zero - The Murder of Laken Riley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:31
Join us, as we examine the tragic murder of Laken Riley: a 22-year-old nursing student who went out for a run and never came home. You'll hear how Laken's loyal friends and roommates sounded the alarm in a desperate atte…
Episode 252 - Cold Calculations - The Murder of Ashley Smylie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:14
Join us, as we unravel the heartbreaking case of Ashley Smylie, a devoted mother and beloved teacher whose life was cut brutally short. You’ll hear how a normal day, just like any other, was shattered in the blink of an…
Episode 251 - Blood in the Rockies - Heather Frank & Scott Sessions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:15
Join us, as we dive into the shocking murders of Scott Sessions and Heather Frank, a pair of Greeley, Colorado residents whose fates became tragically intertwined. You’ll learn how a budding romance in early 2020 quickly…
Episode 250 - Bind. Torture. Freeze. - The Murder of Jennifer Paxton [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:40
Join us, as we examine the horrifying case of Jennifer Paxton – a 36-year-old mother of 7 who disappeared without a trace in 2019. You’ll hear how Jennifer’s battle with homelessness and addiction left her tragically exp…
Episode 249 - My Mother's a Witch - The Murder of Jennifer Dazey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:47
Join us, as we examine the tragic murder of Jennifer Dazey - a 46-year-old mother of three found slain in her own bed. You'll hear about the shocking and horrific scene discovered by a woman expecting a coffee date with…
Episode 248 - No Blood at The Lake - The Murder of Melody Hoffman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:23
Join us, as we dive into the horrific murder of Melody Hoffman - a 20-year-old woman at the center of a deadly love triangle. You'll hear how a mother's desperate attempt to protect her vulnerable daughter through consta…