Lincoln police believe pregnant woman, husband and unborn child dead; couple arrested
By Jake Anderson, Aaron Hegarty
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LINCOLN, Neb. (KETV) — Lincoln police say a missing person case involving a pregnant woman is now a homicide investigation.
Hannah Neville, 26, Roberto Tanner, 27, and their unborn child are believed to be dead, investigators said.
Officials said officers are working to locate their bodies.
Sterling James, 24, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his half-brother and sister-in-law, authorities said.
James’ wife, Sayde Titus, 22, is charged with two counts of aiding and abetting.
After taking over as the lead on the case over the weekend, Lincoln police said officers worked with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the case and put together the timeline.
Investigators said Neville’s roommate reported her missing in Polk County after Neville hadn’t been seen since Jan. 15, when Neville left Stromsburg to pick up her husband in Lincoln. Location data and witness statements put Neville and Tanner at James and Titus’s apartment in Lincoln around 7 p.m. on Jan. 15.
Lincoln police said cell phone data shows Hannah’s device leaving at 8 p.m., arriving at a residence near South 27th and Emiline streets in Lancaster County and remaining there until 1:30 a.m. It traveled to multiple other locations before going offline on Jan. 16.
Around 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 16, Lincoln police responded to a vehicle fire, which was determined to be Neville’s SUV, officials said. Officers called Neville regarding the fire, but her number was no longer in service. Investigators said she was likely deceased at the time.
On Feb. 1, Lincoln police served a search warrant at the residence near South 27th and Emiline streets, where several people were detained and interviewed, officials said.
Investigators said James admitted to shooting Neville and Tanner. They believe James then buried their bodies and set Neville’s vehicle on fire. Titus is believed to have helped James after they were killed.
James was out on parole, records show.
Lincoln police thanked the community for raising awareness and said tips called into law enforcement helped investigators piece together what happened.
Records show James is on parole.
He was incarcerated in May 2024 after he was found guilty of three felonies: possessing meth with intent to distribute, possession of a deadly weapon, and attempted burglary. On July 31, 2025, he was released on parole, eight months after he became eligible.
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