By Allison Peck
The Lincoln Police Department has made four additional arrests in the homicide investigation surrounding the disappearances and presumed deaths of Hannah Neville, Roberto Tanner and their unborn child.
In an update released Tuesday, investigators announced that 47-year-old Ammie Mitchell, 57-year-old Kendall Hawthorne, 28-year-old Matthew Lickliter and 40-year-old Sheena Miller were arrested on suspicion of Accessory to Murder and Tampering with Evidence. All four are being held in the Lancaster County Jail. Authorities said the four lived on the property at 7600 NW 27th Street in Lancaster County.
The arrests follow the earlier arrests of Sterling James and Sayde Titus, who also remain in custody.
According to LPD, investigators developed probable cause for the additional arrests after reviewing evidence and conducting witness interviews. On Tuesday, the department’s SWAT team served a search warrant at the NW 27th Street address.
Investigators believe that on Jan. 15, Sheena Miller was at the NW 27th Street property when James arrived. Authorities say James and Miller left the property in his vehicle and drove about two miles north on NW 27th Street, with Tanner and Neville following them.
At that location, police believe James shot and killed Tanner and Neville. Miller is accused of assisting James in moving their bodies and then driving Neville’s vehicle back to the residence.
Police allege Ammie Mitchell later saw both vehicles parked in the driveway and saw Neville deceased. Investigators say Mitchell removed several personal items from Neville’s vehicle, many of which have not been recovered.
Matthew Lickliter is accused of returning home and observing Tanner and Neville deceased. Police say Lickliter and James retrieved a torch and later drove separately to the area of 40th and Cornhusker in Lincoln, where Neville’s vehicle was later found burned.
Authorities believe Lickliter and James then drove separately to an area near 40th and Branched Oak outside Davey, where investigators think the bodies were initially disposed of before being moved to Saunders County.
Police said Kendall Hawthorne gave baby items from inside Neville’s vehicle to a friend. Those items are believed to contain physical evidence, and some have not been recovered. Hawthorne also allegedly gave James permission to burn items on the NW 27th Street property.
Investigators also believe that on Jan. 16, all four newly arrested individuals watched James and Titus clean their vehicle in the garage at the NW 27th Street residence.
Human remains were located in Saunders County last week. While pathology results are still pending, police said they believe the remains are those of Neville and Tanner. Autopsies were scheduled for Wednesday in hopes of providing additional answers.
In a statement, LPD said, “Our hearts are with the families of Hannah Neville, Roberto Tanner and their unborn child as they face an unimaginable loss. They were deeply loved and deserve to be remembered with dignity and compassion.”
Authorities emphasized the investigation remains active. While LPD is leading the case, investigators believe the homicides occurred in Lancaster County.