Lantz indicted for First Degree Premeditated Murder of his mother
September 2, 2016
Bill Eddins, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit, announced today that an Okaloosa County Grand Jury has indicted Justin David Lantz for First Degree Premeditated Murder in the death of his mother, Robin Lantz.
Officers responded to a call of an impaired driver under the Brooks Bridge. There they found Lantz holding a large
object in the water. When officers approached, Lantz let go of the object and it began floating away. Lantz claimed it was his shirt. Officers searched and found the body of Robin Lantz wrapped in a rug. Investigation revealed that the Defendant had beaten and strangled Ms Lantz at her home, then transported her body to the water where he attempted to dispose of it.
The Defendant had previously asked others to assist in him in killing his mother. The Defendant is currently incarcerated with no bond.
The case was investigated by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant State Attorney Angela Mason will be prosecuting the case.
Original Story:
MARY ESTHER MAN ARRESTED FOR THE MURDER OF HIS MOTHER
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Mary Esther man on charges he murdered his mother at their home.
Deputies had first been called to the brick house at 186 Miramar Street that 32-year old Justin Lantz was sharing with his mother shortly before 10 p.m. Monday evening.
58-year old Robin Lantz told them she and her son Justin had been arguing and she wanted him to leave the house. Based on the fact Lantz was currently residing there and there were no threats of violence, deputies could not mandate that he leave, however he agreed to go voluntarily.
Around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, the OCSO got a call of a possible intoxicated driver in a blue truck speeding and running red lights on Miracle Strip Parkway. Moments later a deputy spotted a truck matching that description underneath the Brooks Bridge on Okaloosa Island. The driver’s door was open and the interior lights were on but no one was with the vehicle. When he investigated further, the deputy found Justin Lantz standing in the Santa Rosa Sound. He also discovered the body of a female floating nearby and a large amount of blood in the truck bed.
Lantz was taken into custody for questioning and the OCSO began a second crime scene investigation at the Lantz home. Inside they found obvious signs of a struggle, including blood.
Justin Lantz has now been charged with second degree murder without premeditation. His mother appeared to have suffered blunt force trauma.
An autopsy is being scheduled by the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine her exact cause of death.
At one point, while his hands were being swabbed for DNA, Lantz asked an OCSO Crime Scene Technician if she was married and if she liked murderers.