Authorities allege that 24-year-old Sterling James shot Tanner multiple times before turning the gun on Neville and shooting her twice in the head. Their unborn child also died as a result of the attack.
According to arrest affidavits, James contacted 40-year-old Sheena Miller earlier that day, stating he needed assistance purchasing a firearm from his half-brother, Tanner. James, Miller, Neville, and Tanner traveled approximately two miles north of a rural property near Lincoln, Nebraska, before stopping. Investigators say the shootings occurred at that location.
Police allege that after Tanner fell to the ground, James walked to Neville’s vehicle and shot her while she was seated inside. Authorities believe Miller assisted in moving Tanner’s body into a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox before driving Neville’s 2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer back to property owned by 57-year-old Kendall Hawthorne in Lancaster County.
Court records state that both bodies were placed inside the Equinox. Miller was reportedly covered in blood and is accused of burning her clothing in a driveway burn barrel before showering.
Investigators allege that 47-year-old Ammie Mitchell later encountered the blood-covered vehicles and Neville’s body on the property during the evening hours of January 15. Authorities believe Mitchell was instructed to remove items from Neville’s vehicle, many of which have not been recovered.
Police further allege that 28-year-old Matthew Lickliter was contacted that night and later assisted in disposing of evidence. Court documents state that he observed the victims’ bodies inside a vehicle and was instructed to remain inside a trailer while Neville’s Trailblazer was set on fire. Lickliter allegedly later provided a remote location near Davey, Nebraska, in Saunders County, where James could hide the victims’ bodies.
Investigators also allege that Hawthorne encouraged those involved to burn evidence, including a bloody purse, and permitted the use of a burn barrel on his property. Authorities state he later gave away several baby items that had been inside Neville’s vehicle. A text message recovered from Hawthorne’s phone shows he instructed another resident not to go outside for approximately one hour at 10:43 p.m. on January 15.
On February 1, 2026, authorities executed a search warrant at Hawthorne’s property in Lancaster County and detained multiple individuals.
On February 10, 2026, at approximately 12:15 p.m., investigators returned with a second warrant, taking Miller, Mitchell, and Lickliter into custody. Hawthorne was arrested during a traffic stop near First Street and McKelvie Road in Lincoln, Nebraska.
24-year-old Sterling James has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree murder of an unborn child, and tampering with evidence. 22-year-old Sayde Titus faces similar charges.
40-year-old Sheena Miller, 47-year-old Ammie Mitchell, and 57-year-old Kendall Hawthorne have each been charged with two counts of accessory to murder and one count of tampering with evidence. 28-year-old Matthew Lickliter remains held without bond pending arraignment.
Autopsies for Neville and Tanner have been conducted. Official results have not yet been released.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lincoln Police Department in Lincoln, Nebraska, at 402-441-6000. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.
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UPDATE: On January 15, 2026, 26-year-old Hannah Neville, who was 32 weeks pregnant, and her 27-year-old husband, Roberto Tanner, were shot and killed in Lincoln, Nebraska. Authorities say their unborn child also died in the attack.
